BADGERS HURT THE GILA MONSTERS 20-14
by Rick Pike

Snow Sits atop WSFL at 5-0

EPHRAIM, UTAH-October 1, 2005-Snow College moved to 5-0 Saturday afternoon and should retain at least the seventh spot in the NJCAA Top 20 after defeating Eastern Arizona 20-14. The game was tied 14-14 in the fourth quarter when Matt Asiata, a freshman running back from Hunter High School, ran for a 28-yard touchdown. Asiata returned to the Badger lineup after sitting out for two games with a dislocated finger. He ran 12 times for 75 yards and a touchdown.

Asiata's touchdown came after Badger quarterback, James Pritchard, completed two pass plays for 26 yards - one to tight end David Johnson and the other to tight end Clay Bayard. Pritchard was 13-24 for 198 yards and a touchdown. Bayard led all Badger receivers with 4 catches for 103 yards and a touchdown.

The game featured the two top defenses in the Western States Football League. Following the final touchdown, the Badger defense forced a Gila Monster fumble and a turnover on downs. Snow held Eastern Arizona's Triple Option Offense to 299 yards total offense - 185 yards rushing, and forced five turnovers. The Gila Monsters held Snow to 378 yards and forced two turnovers. Snow gained 575 yards last week against Phoenix.

"We knew points would be tough to come by - Eastern plays great defense," said Coach Titan Trimble. "But our defense is even better and the offense did some good things. Our kicking game must get better and the offense must do a better job in the red zone."

Snow missed a 25-yard field goal in the second quarter and an extra point attempt in the fourth quarter. The Badger offense was 3-6 in the red zone. The Gila Monsters turned back the Badgers on fourth down twice inside the 10-yard-line with the Badgers choosing to go for it rather than attempt a field goal.

Snow College took a 7-0 lead when Colt Mund, a freshman from Box Elder High School, ran seven yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Eastern Arizona scored early in the second quarter on a 70-yard touchdown pass. The Badgers answered immediately when Pritchard found Bayard for a 17-yard touchdown reception. Snow led 14-6 at halftime.

The Badgers' next opponent is Mesa Saturday, October 8, at 1:30 p.m. in Badger Stadium. With one more win, Snow is eligible to play in the Zions Bank Top of the Mountains Bowl to be held Saturday, December 3 in Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The Snow College games can be heard locally on KMTI-Am 650 and right here on SnowBadgers.com