by Mike Hustava, Sports Information Assistant
The Bearcats opened the home portion of their 2011 schedule with a dominating performance, defeating Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham by a final score of 55-3. The Bearcats used stifling defense and 21 first quarter-points to take control of the game early. 

Saint Vincent received the ball to open the game and took control immediately. The Bearcats marched 59 yards in 12 plays with quarterback Aaron Smetanka connecting with Scott Weaver on a three-yard pass to put Saint Vincent the 7-0 lead. The Bearcats would continue to lead for the rest of the afternoon. 

On the ensuing FDU possession, the Devils took the ball deep into Saint Vincent territory. On fourth down at Bearcats four-yard line, the FDU field goal attempt was blocked by Jovaughn Johnson. Darius Brown picked up the loose ball and ran it 89 yards for a Bearcat touchdown and gave Saint Vincent the 14-0 lead. 

FDU was able to convert a 37-yard field goal on their next drive to make the score 14-3. That was the only scoring for the Devils on the afternoon, though, as the Bearcats erased any thoughts of a comeback by scoring the game's final 41 points.

With two minutes left in the first quarter, Huey Ehredt took a handoff 65 yards for a touchdown, breaking several FDU tackles and giving the hosts a 21-3 advantage. 

Halfway through the second quarter, Smetanka completed a 46-yard pass to Ricky Douglas to put the Bearcats at the FDU 10-yard line. On the next play, Smetanka found tight end Cody Strelick in the endzone for the score. The extra point attempt failed and the Bearcats held a 27-3 lead with just over seven minutes remaining in the first half. 

The Bearcats lead grew to 34-3 when Smetanka connected with Joe Yezovich on a 13-yard pass to end the scoring in the first half. 

The Saint Vincent defense was just as impressive in the first half, limiting the Devils to only three points. FDU held the ball longer than the Bearcats but was only 2-of-10 on third down and 0-for-2 in the red zone. Marvin Daney had seven tackles in the first half, while Armando Fortunato and Brown each contributed three stops. 

The second half was much of the same story, as Saint Vincent was firing on all cylinders on the both sides of the ball. 

Early in the third quarter, Daney intercepted FDU quarterback Ryan Cushman's pass and ran it down to the Devils 15 yard line. On the next play, Smetanka fired another touchdown pass, this time to Douglas, and the Bearcats lead grew to 41-3. 

Saint Vincent extended their lead again in the third quarter as running back Mike Kale got in on the scoring. The senior plowed into the endzone on a two-yard run and gave the Bearcats a 48-3 lead.

Running back Chris Brown then ended the scoring for the game with less than a minute left in the third quarter. The senior scored his first collegiate touchdown on a five-yard run to seal the 55-3 victory.

Smetanka was a model of efficiency in the game, completing 23-of-26 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns. Douglas had 91 yards on six receptions and Christian Sutton caught six balls for 84 yards. All-in-all, Smetanka connected with nine different Bearcat receivers in the contest. 

Ehredt, who rushed for 99 yards on five attempts, including the 65-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, led the Bearcats on the ground. 

On defense, Daney led the way with seven stops and an interception. Fortunato and Matt Lomire both had five tackles while Chaz Coleman and brown both broke-up two passes. Overall, the Bearcats recorded 10 tackles for loss in the game. The Bearcats limited the Devils to 44 yards rushing on 34 attempts in the contest. 

The Bearcats are idle this week before returning to action on September 24th when they will travel to Thiel College to open PAC play.