Loyola Steals Away With 31-21 Victory

Facing a Hart defense that allowed opponents just 371 rushing yards in four games, the last thing Loyola needed to hear was that leading rusher Stephen Faulk would miss their showdown Thursday night at College of the Canyons.

But with Faulk, cousin of Indianapolis Colts’ running back Marshall Faulk, out with a sprained ankle, fullback Wesley Willard and the Cub defense came to the rescue and Loyola defeated Hart, 31-21.

The Cubs, led by defensive tackle Mike Long and defensive end Dan Fitzgibbons, put constant pressure on Hart quarterback David Neill and forced two interceptions late in the third quarter.

Hart led, 14-10, with 1:28 left in the third quarter and had the ball at the Loyola 48-yard line. Neill scrambled and tried to force a pass to Jared Bazar, but Loyola’s J.P. O’Hara stepped in front to intercept the pass and ran 41 yards to the Hart 25.

That led to a 25-yard touchdown pass play from Chris Peterson to Sean Currin.

Three plays later, Neill’s pass was tipped by Bazar into the hands of Willard at the Hart 36. Loyola capitalized with a six-play drive capped by Willard’s three-yard run that gave the Cubs a 24-14 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Willard rushed 23 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns. As the game got longer, Wilard got better. He had 46 yards at halftime but had four runs of 10 yards or better in the second half.

Hart pulled to within 24-21 with 2:56 to play when backup quarterback Kyle Boller connected with Jerry Owens on a 79-yard touchdown pass play.

It was the second 79-yard touchdown reception for Owens, who had nine catches for 275 yards.

Loyola put the game away after recovering an onside kick and marching 49 yards in seven plays, a drive capped by Willard’s four-yard touchdown run.

Neill, who completed 13 of 29 passes for 217 yards, left the game late in the game with the crowd chanting Boller’s name. Neill’s three interceptions brings his season total to 12. He was sacked three times.

Boller completed three of seven passes for 147 yards.