GETTYSBURG, Pa. — Saturday's 47-7 loss wasn't the most lopsided defeat the McDaniel football team has suffered at Gettysburg.
That was in 1891 when the Bullets rolled the Green Terror 98-0. Benjamin Harrison was President of the United States then and the Civil War had been fought on the nearby battlefields less than 30 years prior.
While the deficit was 58 points fewer this Saturday, the Bullets again easily handled the Green Terror as the Bullets compiled 527 yards of total offense, 320 of which came rushing.
"You put your head down and keep grinding," Green Terror receiver Sean Montgomery said. "The coaches keep telling us to stay positive, and that's what we're going to do."
No matter how positive McDaniel (1-4, 0-4 Centennial Conference) has been, it hasn't resulted in any first-half offense. The Terror failed to score in the first 30 minutes for the fourth time this season, while the defense remained on the field for long stretches and was worn down by Gettysburg's fast-paced, no-huddle offense.
McDaniel trailed 37-0 at the half, and it looked like the Bullets may have been on their way to a shutout romp rivaling that of over a century ago. The Terror had just 114 yards of offense in the first half, were 2-for-8 on third-down conversions, and turned the ball over twice.
"It comes down to leadership, honestly," said Montgomery, one of McDaniel's 11 seniors. "Someone needs to make a play and then everyone needs to hop on that bandwagon. And until that happens, this is going to keep happening."
Meanwhile, Gettysburg compiled 358 yards in the first half, 227 of those on the ground. Bullets quarterback Zach Miller connected with Fred Caruso for a 19-yard touchdown less than three minutes in. With 4 minutes, 10 seconds to go in the first quarter, Nick Ulassin rushed for a 19-yard score to make it 14-0.
Miller ran in a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter and threw another, a 35-yard strike to Jordan Kelso.
Those, along with a safety where Mi Pennella tackled McDaniel running back Tayahd Campbell in the backfield, had Gettysburg up five possessions at the half.
"We just struggled getting off blocks," Terror coach Mike Hoyt said. "We've been working on that stuff all year, so we just continue to work on it."
McDaniel didn't score until it was already down 47-0 in the fourth quarter. Sophomore quarterback Matty Callahan, making the first start of his collegiate career, threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to Montgomery with 13:48 to go.
Callahan completed 27 of his 40 pass attempts for 272 yards, but threw three interceptions for the second straight week. The Terror had just 46 rushing yards, while Gettysburg had four different players with 50 or more yards on the ground.
Drew Scott led McDaniel with 11 tackles and Manchester Valley graduate Jake Fernandez added eight.
The Bullets (3-2, 3-1) beat the Terror for the fourth straight time, their longest winning streak against McDaniel since the 1980s.
The Green Terror now enter their bye week with less than two wins for the fourth straight season.
"It's coming at a good time because we'll have time to recuperate, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well," Montgomery said. "That's just the main thing that needs to be done right now."
After a come-from-behind 34-31 win over Catholic in Week 1, it looked as if McDaniel may have been breaking that skid this season.
But the Terror have lost each of their first four conference games, giving up 42 points or more in three of those losses and scoring more than seven just once.
"It's tough, but we're strong individuals and we play this sport for a reason," Montgomery said. "This isn't the first time I've been on a losing team and we're just going to put our head down and keep grinding. That's all I know how to do and all everyone on this team knows how to do."
Local Roundup
Men's Soccer
McDaniel 2, Washington 2
Liberty graduate Shane McCracken led the Green Terror (6-4-1, 1-2-1 CC) with a goal and an assist.
Winters Mill grad Nick Over made four saves for the Terror.
Women's Soccer
McDaniel 1, Ursinus 1
Abby Keen found the back of the net for the Green Terror (7-2-2, 1-1-1 CC), scoring her first collegiate goal.
Field Hockey
Ursinus 9, McDaniel 1
Bayley Vohs tallied for the Green Terror (6-3, 2-2 CC), converting a penalty stroke in the 61st minute.
