UD Spartans Overwhelm Bears in Toulouse 77-0
May 30, 2014
(Courtesy of Toulouse Bears, Toulouse, France)
The University of Dubuque Spartans travelled from their stay in Barcelona to promote American football in a second European country with a two-day tour and competition in Toulouse, France. On a beautiful Saturday afternoon at the Ours (French for ‘Bears’) turfed American football facility the Spartans put on a dynamic display of big play capability in a dominating 77-0 victory.
The Spartans scored on all but two possessions. When given or receiving the ball in space, the Spartans were too elusive to contain and tackle for the host Bears. In addition, the Spartan defense limited the Toulouse attack to three first downs and had two interceptions consistently putting its offense into excellent field position.
After the Spartans defense held the Bears to a three-and-out, the Spartans offensive attack gained one first down before QB Reggie Richter threw a short pass in the flat to Tyler Rutenbeck. Rutenbeck made one tackler miss and outsprinted the rest of the French defense to the end zone for a score from 42-yards out. Curtis Prull added the first of 11 consecutive extra points and the Spartans were on the board at 7-0.
On their next possession the Ours gained a first down but were subsequently forced to punt. On the first play, Richter scrambled to avoid some pressure and found tight end Lee Jones for a 45-yard reception. On the next play, it was receiver Chris Bagley’s turn to catch a short pass on a shallow route, used some blocks then sped to the end zone to put the Spartans up 14-0 after the extra point. Another three-and-out by the Spartan defense forced a punt that was followed by a 52-yard Spartans drive culminating with a 1-yard touchdown run by Jake Szymanski.
Just before the end of the 1st quarter Trevor Stauner stepped in a throwing lane for an interception and his 20-yard return set-up the Spartans attack at the Bears 11-yard line. A play-action pass to Jones made the score 28-0 as the first quarter ended.
Early in the 2nd quarter, after a short punt by the Ours the Spartans went 45 yards in 2 plays when Sean Anderson hauled in a 4-yard Richter toss to make the score 35-0.
On the Bears next drive, Will Hudson broke through for a 6-yard tackle for a loss. On 4th and five, looking to make something happen the French team went for the first down conversion but failed. Taking over at the Ours 30-yard line the Spartans worked methodically into the end zone finishing with another touchdown run by Szymanski this time from 16 yards out.
Before the half ended the Spartans drove 72 yards with efficiency to score on a spectacular pass to Rutenbeck as he reached over the top of the France defender who had good position. The tally was from 32-yards out. Though the Ours hit a long pass to cross mid-field for the first time on the day, the half ended with the Spartans possessing a 49-0 lead.
To start the second half Shaun Grewal returned the kick past mid-field. Starting from the Bear 46-yard line the Spartans scored when Sean Anderson went in from 12 yards out. On the subsequent drive, Darren Myles Jr. intercepted a Toulouse pass at the Ours 41-yard line. Lee Jones took over at quarterback and directed the Spartans down the field eventually throwing a touchdown pass with Anderson this time on the receiving end. This made the score 63-0 Spartans.
Both teams exchanged punts on their following possession and then after another 3-and-out by the Spartan D, Richter came back to lead another scoring drive hitting Rutenbeck from 5-yards out. Myles entered the game at quarterback and immediately went up top to Rutenbeck who again went up to take the ball away from the French defender for a sizeable gain to the Ours 5-yard line. One play later Richter hit Grewal with a 5-yard touchdown pass.
The scoring wrapped up at 77-0 when Richter threw his sixth touchdown pass of the day on a corner route to Rutenbeck.The Ours American Football Club of Toulouse served as outstanding hosts providing a pre-game meal for the Spartans. After the game the respective football clubs exchanged gifts including commemorative decorated helmets. That evening team members from the University of Dubuque Spartans and the Toulouse Ours gathered at Downtown in the city centre of Toulouse for a post-game celebration of their historic event.
The following day, the Spartans invested more time touring the host city of Toulouse. On the way back o Barcelona, the travel party also stopped at the impressive UNESCO World Heritage site of Carcassonne to view its imposing medieval fortifications.
University of Dubuque vs. Toulouse Ours
Toulouse, France Sunny 68 degrees
|
Rutenbeck 42-yd reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
7-0 |
|
Bagley 36 yd. reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
14-0 |
|
Szymanski 1-yd run (Prull extra point) |
21-0 |
|
Jones 8-yd reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
28-0 |
|
Anderson 4-yd reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
35-0 |
|
Szymanski 16-yd. touchdown run (Prull extra point) |
42-0 |
|
Rutenbeck 32-yd reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
49-0 |
|
Anderson 12-yd run (Prull extra point) |
56-0 |
|
Anderson 8-yd reception from Jones (Prull extra point) |
63-0 |
|
Rutenbeck 5-yd reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
70-0 |
|
Grewal 5-yd reception from Richter (Prull extra point) |
77-0 |
