Advance

Assumption used a strong second quarter to defeat Bowie State 51-29 in the first round of the Division II playoffs last Saturday. The Greyhounds made their opening playoff game memorable as they used the same formula that helped propel them into the postseason. All three phases of the game excelled and that showed up in the final box score.

Special teams did their usual part in the game as they blocked a punt and set up the offense nicely in the return game. The defense made plays when they needed to and the offense put together several scoring drives.

The Greyhounds become the first NE-10 team to make the second round of the playoffs since 2012 when New Haven received a bye as the second seed. They are also the first team in the league to win a playoff game since 2011 when New Haven defeated Kutztown in the second round.

It is also the first victory over a CIAA team in the playoffs for the NE-10. They had dropped the previous two games including last year when LIU Post lost at Virginia State in the first round.

Assumption will now travel to face number two seeded Slippery Rock in the second round. The Rock also won their first round game 40-21 over Virginia Union.

SurpriseSurprise # 2

Bowie State also had their quarterback issues coming into the game. Freshman Nyema Washington had started the second half of the season including the CIAA championship game. When the depth chart was released on Thursday, he was listed as the backup and senior Trevon Bennett was in the starter category.

Washington suffered a concussion in the Winston-Salem State game and was not even dressed for the playoff game. Bennett took the reins of the offense and passed for 309 yards. But five turnovers including three interceptions haunted the Bulldog offense all game long.

Freshman Amir Hall saw time in the fourth quarter as he was not even listed as a quarterback on the roster. His position was wide receiver but forced into action due to injuries and ineligible players for Bowie State.

Special Again

The Assumption special team unit has been solid all season long so why would things change in the playoffs. They blocked their eight punt of the season and just wreaked havoc on Bowie State all afternoon long.

"It is something that we take a lot of pride in," Chesney said of his special team effort. "We are trying to work a return at the same time as a block. It is something rare but we feel very confident with."

Deonte Harris also set up field possession nicely in the first quarter when he returned a punt 25 yards across midfield. That led to the first points of the afternoon for Assumption and was the start of a nice day.

Harrison Murphy later blocked the punt and the ball rolled out of the end zone for a safety. The Greyhounds were close on other kicks and just continue to play at a different level on special teams. It is a big part of the reason that they are 11-1 on the season and still playing in the last weekend of November.

Mr. Special Teams

The New England Patriots have the best special teams player in the league with Matthew Slater. He is always in on the tackle when the Patriots are either kicking or punting. The Assumption Greyhounds have a very similar player in sophomore Dylan Oxsen.

Oxsen seems to make every tackle on kickoffs for Assumption. Saturday was no different as # 30 was all over the field. But he also earned a couple of handoffs out of the backfield.

"We know how good Dylan is," Chesney said. "He has his hand in on every play on special teams."

Oxsen also saw time in his natural position of running back. It was just the third game this year that he took a handoff and made the most of it.

He scored a touchdown when he scampered 15 yards late in the fourth quarter for the Greyhounds. It was the final nail in the coffin for Assumption.

"He had an opportunity that presented itself today and he took advantage of it," Chesney said.

Defense

The Assumption run defense was pretty good. They were outsized by the Bowie State offensive line but did a great job in the trenches.

They limited the Bulldogs to just 35 yards on the ground in 24 attempts. The Greyhounds especially bottled up Kendall Jefferson who entered the game with nearly 1,000 yards on the season. He finished with 25 yards on the ground in nine attempts with a long run of just seven yards.

Penalties

It seemed like there were a lot of penalties called in the game. And the stats definitely backed that up.

There were 25 penalties called in the game and it seemed to hurt Bowie State at the wrong times. They made a good play or moved the ball only to be whistled for a penalty and negate any positive yardage that had been gained.

But it was Assumption that led the way in penalties. They were flagged 13 times in the victory and that is something that will need to be cleaned up as they progress deeper into the playoffs.

Backyard

The Bowie State coaching staff must be kicking themselves for letting a local kid get away. Deonte Harris is a native of Baltimore, Maryland but decided to go north to play for Assumption.

It showed early in the game as Harris did his usual moving and shaking of kick and punt returns to get the Assumption offense prime field position.

He also got the Greyhounds on the board first when he used all of his 5'8" frame to extend for the opening touchdown. He hauled in the first of Monks' four touchdowns to get the Assumption offense rolling and they never looked back.

Harris was named Offensive Rookie of the Year earlier in the week by the NE-10 and I awarded him with my Offensive Player of the Year for the 2015 season.
It must have been a huge blow to Bowie State knowing that he played locally but was now playing against them in the playoffs. Harris had an exceptional freshman season for Assumption and will get to play another game while helping to end Bowie State's season.

Tough Day

It was a tough day at the office for two Greyhounds that are usually very dependable.

Place kicker Cole Tracy missed a field goal in the first quarter and later had one blocked. He entered the game with only two misses the entire season. He did go seven for seven on point after attempts.

Running back Alex Shain lost two fumbles in the game and finished with just 44 yards in the game. He saw limited action in the second half for the Greyhounds after his second fumble occurred right before the end of the first half.

Both players had great seasons earning themselves all-conference awards and I expect them to rebound next weekend at Slippery Rock.

Mr. Dependable

Last week, Chesney called Jarrod Casey a coach on the field. Once again, the junior captain made a huge play at a critical time of the game.

After Assumption fumbled late in the first half, Bowie State was poised to make a dent in the score before heading into the locker room. But Casey had a different plan.

He read the route perfectly and stepped in front of the Bowie State receiver to pick off the ball in the end zone to stop the drive. It was the same end zone that Casey made the pivotal interception to stop a New Haven drive the weekend prior to help Assumption win the NE-10 championship.

Casey finished with nine tackles in the game and that pick to again be the backbone of the Assumption defense.

Big Man

Bowie State receiver Nyme Manns was going to be a tall task for the shorter Assumption cornerbacks. He is listed at 6'4" and the leading receiver for the Bulldogs.

He did set a school record with 14 receptions on the afternoon but was not able to make big plays like he did all season long. He had a long of 16 yards and his lone touchdown was a one yard pass late in the contest.

Assumption cornerback Bakari Blunt drew the assignment of Manns most of the afternoon and did a respectable job on him all game long.

"Coming into practice the first day for Sunday meetings, Coach said we have a big one," Blunt said of his assignment. "When he said that, I said Coach it doesn't matter. I will just do what I have to do. He is a good receiver and I give him props."

Blunt also had a team high 12 tackles including 11 of the solo variety. He also broke up four passes and recovered a fumble on the first offensive play for Bowie State in the game.

3 Degrees of the NE-10

Bowie State started and ended their season in the state of Massachusetts and against NE-10 competition. They opened the season on the road with a 35-32 victory over Merrimack in September.

Now their season ended with the loss at Assumption in the playoffs and made for a painful seven hour bus trip back to campus Saturday night. They also traveled north in September to play Division I FCS opponent Central Connecticut. They dropped that game 21-14 and there was a NE-10 connection in that game.

Central Connecticut is coached by former New Haven coach Peter Rossomando. So that is three degrees of NE-10 for Bowie State this year.