#SWARM - The Reboot

[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Nice way to win on the Smurf Turf bro! I hate seeing Boise lose...but I’ll make an exception lol.
3-0...I’ve never seen a score like that man. That’s crazy, talk about a chess match for sure


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[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

This game was so much fun to play. NCAA 14 is the only game where you can have those 65 point shootouts like you just had in your title game, then I'll have this 3-0 defensive battle. I was so sure we had blown it when I saw Butler open on the sideline, it was like I watched the pass fly through the air in slow mo lol. Then he drops it and we end up with the win. I was shook on the field goal, cause I had actually missed one in the supersim, then I myself actually shanked a kick. And I wasn't even using Tuscaloosa's kicking method, which I'm gonna start using. Such a great game.

Thanks for checking in bro.

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[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G3

Turnovers sink Swarm in narrow 27-20 loss

Wendell Hearn throws for 294, but only 1 score, crucial redzone pick -- Swarm score just 20 points despite 540 total offensive yards

Cincinnati, OH -- Westlake State fell to 1-2 on the season with a close loss to the Cincinnati Bearcats. Wendell Hearn had a career day, completing 22 of 35 passes for 294 yards, with 111 of those and Hearn's lone score going to freshman Calvin Foster. Westlake State outgained Cincy, with 540 yards compared to the Bearcats' 381.

So how did the Swarm lose this one? Well, key turnovers. They only coughed up the ball twice, but one was a goal line interception, and the other was a lost fumble while down 7 with under 2 minutes left.

It was a good start for Westlake State. They got all the way down to the Cincy 18, where their drive stalled out. But Grant Marquardt missed yet another kick, the first of 2 field goals he missed on the day. Both teams punted on their next drives, and Cincinnati looked to be heading there again. But tailback Gerrid Doaks found a crease and went 52 yards untouched to open up the scoring.

Wendell Hearn and the rest of the Swarm offense had no trouble moving the ball, for once, and they came right back with a touchdown of their own, a 4 yard score from Louis Dowdell to continue his good start to the season.

But Rashad Medaris took the ensuing kickoff all the way to give his team back the lead, putting Cincinnati back on top to end the 1st quarter.

Westlake State had the ball again, and ate up clock on their next drive, taking almost half of the second quarter just for a 22 yard field goal. They forced a punt, and Grant Marquardt just barely nailed a 38 yarder on the next drive. 14-13 Cincy with about a minute to go in the half.

Ross Trail and the Bearcats would extend their lead. Trail, who completed 16 of 20 passes, led his team downfield in just 4 plays, with a 30 yard completion, and a 28 yard gain from Doaks. He finished off the drive with a ridiculous jumping throw off his back foot to wideout Kahlil Lewis. The PAT was missed, but Cincinnati had a touchdown lead heading into the break.

Shades of Derek Jeter?

Nobody scored in the 3rd quarter. Westlake State had another long drive after a Cincy punt, but Wendell Hearn forced a throw in the red zone and it was picked off on the goal line. Cincinnati came back downfield and were looking good, but Ross Trail got over eager and threw into double coverage, where it was picked off by Donte Oliver in the back of the end zone.

Isaac Robinson likely makes it 3 straight games with a pick if Oliver doesn't catch this

Westlake State were able to move down the field pretty easily, and Hearn eventually found Calvin Foster for an 11 yard score to tie up the game. The Bearcats had their backs against the wall, knowing that the momentum from a Swarm stop would probably see them win the game. Gerrid Doaks was having none of that. He gashed the Swarm for 56 of the Bearcats' 71 yards on this drive, and his backup, Mike Warren II, ended up running in a score from 9 yards out to put the Bearcats up 27-20.

Nevertheless, Westlake State were still in this. Until Wendell Hearn took off up the middle and fumbled. Then, after stopping Doaks for 2 big losses, had Cincy out of field goal range, facing a 3rd and 19, with a decent amount of time left and one timeout. But Gerrid Doaks somehow ran for 35 yards without being touched. He was dragged down at the 12, but the damage was done. Cincinnati kneeled out the clock, and Westlake State fell to 1-2. They will go to Kansas next week to play #6 Kansas State. No pressure.

Hearn has to hold on to this

Scoring Summary

[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Tough loss, it's hard to watch turnovers dictate a game, but it happens often. The offense showed some serious potential to be great this year. It was a really balanced attack, which is great. You also stopped the pass really well.

On another note, I like the stat graphics. Did you make them yourself?

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Tough loss, it's hard to watch turnovers dictate a game, but it happens often. The offense showed some serious potential to be great this year. It was a really balanced attack, which is great. You also stopped the pass really well.

On another note, I like the stat graphics. Did you make them yourself?

We should have won. Hearn gets into those animations where he's struggling with the defender and just drops the ball a lot. Happens against K State too. Offense was great. Like I don't know where the hell that even came from. Didn't put it in the stats but Dionte Norton had 65 yards on like 11 carries. We definitely took that momentum into the K State game, no idea why but everything is just clicking right now. Didn't even play the games back to back, they were a day apart. I won't spoil the result, gonna get that game up tonight or tomorrow, not sure, but it came down to the wire. Gonna be a long long article about it I think, I have like 25 pics from the game lol. One of those games where it felt like the CPU played down to me, and couldn't get going once we had momentum. Some unique stuff too, there was a legit blown call on what should have been a TD. After the next game, I'll do a little preview of the MAC and a recruiting update, some really good players we're looking at.

As far as stat graphics, I was heavily inspired by what I saw looking through some old dynasties on here. Just saw some stuff that looked super clean, and I hate the OS dynasty tables anyway. Takes forever clicking from box to box to input stuff.

Thanks for checking in as always.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Operation Sports mobile app

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G4

September 28th, 2014

Thomas Green has breakout game, but gets suspended after altercation with referee -- Trent Brantley impresses in Swarm debut -- Alex Delton sacked 8 times, as K-State looks unprepared

Westlake State celebrates, as Kansas State wonders if their title hopes are gone

Manhattan, KS -- Appalachian State over Michigan. Boise State over Oklahoma. James Madison over Virginia Tech. And now, Westlake State over Kansas State. Yes, this second year program somehow managed to topple a team that was ranked #6 in the nation coming in, and had national title aspirations.

Despite turning the ball over 5 times, missing two extra points, and being on the wrong end of a dubious call late in the game, the Swarm beat the Wildcats, and have now equaled their win count from all of last season. Alex Delton tried to make it all happen on his own, as tailback Alex Barnes, who came into this game an early Heisman contender averaging 125 rushing yards a game, did his best impression of Trent Richardson, running into his own line and opposition defenders all game, finishing with just 73 yards.

It looked bad early on for the Swarm. Kansas State did punt on their first drive, but Dionte Norton fumbled on Westlake State's first play from scrimmage. The Wildcats failed to capitalize, managing just a field goal after starting from the Swarm 22. Next Swarm offensive play? Wendell Hearn throws a bullet up the seam, picked by a linebacker he never saw. K-State would take full advantage this time, scoring a touchdown. The PAT was missed, but they still went up 9-0.

Nothing much happened for the rest of the first half. A few punts were exchanged, Hearn threw another pick and Kansas State punted again. Hearn completed a couple passes, getting to the Wildcats 43, then fumbled after picking up 18 yards on a scramble. Kansas State kicked a 45 yard field goal to end the half up 12-0, after Thomas Green caught a 48 yard pass around the 30 to end the half. The Wildcats looked terrible in the first half, but terrible Kansas State is better than Westlake State any day.

Well, almost any day. Westlake State scored to start the second half, with Grant Marquardt kicking a 32 yarder to put his team on the board. The run game wasn't working, and Alex Delton tried to do it all on his own, holding the ball too long, taking 2 sacks, forcing a punt.

Wendell Hearn then showed off his improved arm, with the 3rd play of the Swarm's next drive being a dime about 25 yards downfield to Thomas Green. Green ended up gaining 39 yards, but on the very next play, Hearn took off, was wrapped up, and while trying to break free, lost the football again.

But yet again, Kansas State's offense was awful. Alex Barnes couldn't get anything going on the ground, and Delton was doing a bad Johnny Manziel impression.

So it was Swarm football once again. Down 12-3, Louis Dowdell went down injured. (he missed the rest of the drive, then returned) Because the only other back available was Dionte Norton, with backup safety Maurquice Pearson, who currently plays dime corner, being the official #4 HB, Trent Brantley made his return a week early from an Achilles strain that cost him the first 3 games of the season. Dowdell was good in the first half, but his 7 yards a carry was more a by-product of a lackadaisical defensive effort from the Wildcats. Brantley is a different beast entirely. His third carry back, he jump cut through the line of scrimmage, and flattened a Kansas State linebacker on his way to a 16 yard gain.

The next play of the game was highly controversial. Thomas Green beat his man off the line, and Hearn threw a perfectly weighted pass to him in the back of the endzone. He clearly, or so everyone thought, got a foot in bounds for the score that would make this a 2 point game. The Swarm were jubilant, until they realized that the referee in the end zone had signaled to the replay booth. The play was reviewed, and the ruling on the field was reversed. Green was livid, and got into it with the ref. Wendell Hearn had to rush over to pull him away. With the wind taken out of their sails, the Swarm ended up settling for a 40 yard field goal after a pair of sacks. 12-6 K-State, with just a few minutes left. If the Wildcats could score, or even just eat up time, this game was likely over.

Terrible, terrible call

(Sidenote: The scoring summary for this game is glitched, and in the 4th it says Green caught that TD lmao even NCAA knows the refs tried to screw us)

And it looked like they'd do just that. Delton managed to complete a pass to Byron Pringle for a first down, then again on 3rd and 5, this time to Isaiah Zuber. Two more first downs would probably have ended this one. But Delton just doesn't know how to leave well enough alone. He dropped back to pass on first down, was flushed out, scrambled for about 7 yards when he saw Sergio Keith bearing down on him. Instead of sliding, he lowered his shoulder, got rocked, and fumbled. Deonte Abrams sprinted over, and flung himself at the loose ball, recovering it near midfield. All of a sudden, Kansas State were on the ropes.

It took just 5 plays for the Swarm to score. Hearn capped the short drive by finding Calvin Foster for a touchdown. 12-12. A PAT puts Westlake State up 1, with just 1:22 left. Enter Grant Marquardt. The junior kicker has had his woes, but had been good in this one, drilling both his field goals. He shanked the kick, slicing it off the left upright. The Swarm just sat there, stunned. Now momentum was back with Kansas State, and the upset looked like it would be quashed in the cruelest way possible.

(Another sidenote: All credit for me shanking kicks goes to Tuscaloosa. Idk if he reads the dynasty forums, but he's the real MVP for his kicking method, which you can find in the NCAA forum)

The defense would not let that happen. Isaac Robinson nearly picked off a pass on the first play of Kansas State's drive, dropping an easy one. 58 seconds left, Kansas State has 1 timeout. Completion over the middle to Dominique Heath, first down. 58 seconds left, Kansas State has 1 timeout. Raishaun Swan chased down Delton on 1st and 10, though, as Delton desperately tried to make a play, and got his 3rd sack of the game, which is a new school record for sacks in a game. Timeout Kansas State, and their 2 Hail Mary attempts fall incomplete. Overtime.

Robinson would make up for this dropped INT

The very first play of OT saw Alex Barnes run for a 25 yard score, breaking 3 tackles before hitting the edge. But Westlake State were right there, needing just 2 plays to score, with Trent Brantley scoring his first college touchdown after a 21 yard strike to Calvin Foster.

Westlake State got the ball back, under college OT rules, and after a couple good runs, Wendell Hearn found Thomas Green from 6 yards out for the go ahead score. But Marquardt missed another PAT, and Kansas State would win with a touchdown and a PAT. Do or die.

Alex Barnes got stuffed for a loss or 2 on 2 consecutive plays though, and it was a 3rd and 14 from the 29. Alex Delton would throw into the endzone to a seemingly open receiver, but Isaac Robinson broke on the ball just in time and got over to bat it down. 4th and 14. A stop ends it, and that's exactly what happened. Delton's reluctance to make the easy play cost his team once again, as he held onto the ball for too long and Raishaun Swan caught up to him. Ballgame. One of the greatest upsets in college football history was complete.

TOP: Robinson saves the game BOTTOM: Swan with the game-sealing tackle

After the game, the referee who Green had screamed at came over to shake his hand and congratulate him. Green then told him to "f--k off" and sort of shrugged him off with an arm as he went to celebrate with his teammates. The ref didn't take too kindly to that, and shoved Green in the back as he ran off. Green tripped, and got up throwing punches at the ref. He was pushed to the ground by a Kansas State player, but luckily coach Bill Snyder came in to get his players to the locker room before things got ugly. Green was suspended for 2 games by Westlake State AD Joey Williams.

The incident didn't put a damper on the Swarm celebrations though. They stayed on the field and celebrated with traveling fans for 45 minutes before hitting the showers. Dion Barkley was ecstatic, calling the win "program-changing".

In 5, 10, 15 years when we winning titles this game will be looked back on as the day Westlake State became Westlake State if you know what I mean. We got ranked like 125 to start the year, we just beat a #6 team that was expected to challenge for a natty. I'm not saying we #5 or nothing like that, but we showed we could play. This dub gives us exposure, what you think they gone talk about on ESPN tomorrow? Come on now. We gone get our respect. They paid us 500k thinking this was a tune up game. Y'all just paid 500k for us to screw up your title hopes. (laughs) But seriously, I got nothing but respect for this program, especially Coach Snyder. He's an OG, been here damn near 30 years and still going strong. I'd love to come back here next year for part 2. Program changing dub here today. I'm so proud of us.

Wendell Hearn spoke to the press postgame as well, and may have dropped a hint that he plans to play baseball after this season. Hearn was drafted in the 8th round of this past MLB draft, but declined to sign and will likely see his stock climb if he plays well over the summer in 2015.

Uh, wow. That's the first thing I gotta say is just wow. You know, I never got no D1 offer outta high school. I got D3, JUCO, things of that nature. Half of it was baseball stuff too. I wasn't even gonna play football till Coach called me at JUCO and said "I want you to play QB." I just gotta thank the man above for all of this, giving me a chance to play D1, and a second chance after I screwed up last year. For a last year of football, this is pretty good.

Westlake State's first ever MAC game comes next week. They will play 3-1 Ball State at home.

[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

I love it man, hell of a comeback. Fighting back from being down, even with the refs against you, is a fun game. Going through overtime and that tip by Robinson, drama like that would give a coach a heart attack. Imagine Jim Harbaugh antics in this game, especially after getting hosed on the TD? lol

Hearn did well, all things considered. So did Brantley in coming back from an injury (may I be so bold as to recommend some ankle tape on his bum ankle?). It sucks that Green got suspended. I can see both sides of it, it sucks to get hosed but you gotta keep your composure.

On another note, I don't think I've mentioned it but I really dig the uniform set you've got. I like both sets of away jerseys, the yellow/silver numbers pop really well. I know the design itself isn't fancy, but a simple uniform with the right colors does wonders.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

I love it man, hell of a comeback. Fighting back from being down, even with the refs against you, is a fun game. Going through overtime and that tip by Robinson, drama like that would give a coach a heart attack. Imagine Jim Harbaugh antics in this game, especially after getting hosed on the TD? lol

Hearn did well, all things considered. So did Brantley in coming back from an injury (may I be so bold as to recommend some ankle tape on his bum ankle?). It sucks that Green got suspended. I can see both sides of it, it sucks to get hosed but you gotta keep your composure.

On another note, I don't think I've mentioned it but I really dig the uniform set you've got. I like both sets of away jerseys, the yellow/silver numbers pop really well. I know the design itself isn't fancy, but a simple uniform with the right colors does wonders.

This season is crazy so far. 3-0 win over Boise, now this? I love NCAA 14 so much. We lose to FIU and Cincy, but we beat the #6 team in the nation? Only NCAA. We'll probably get blown out a few times in the MAC too. Definitely gonna schedule K state again at some point.

I was definitely in my room going crazy the whole game. I almost threw my controller when the TD got taken away, I was already preparing a postgame rant. Then Keith forces that fumble, and Abrams just zooms over and grabs it. Brantley was great. I'll definitely put some tape on his ankle, nice touch there. Wasn't gonna play him until Dowdell had to leave, and Norton is honestly pretty trash if he's the main guy.

Glad you like the jerseys, I really like them too. I have a black/yellow jersey I haven't used yet, I'll probably introduce it at some point.

I'm about to do a recruiting update, so stay tuned. Thanks for following.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Operation Sports mobile app

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Westlake State Swarm Football Staff Communications

From: Head Scout Jason Berry

To: Head Coach Dion Barkley

CC: Recruiting

WE BEAT K STATE! Way to show em who we are, Coach.

Anyway, I got an incredible batch of guys already. All I got here is QBs, and the top guys on my board. I'll have more for you in a few weeks, some good, not great guys.

Let's start with the quarterbacks. Wendell might go MLB next year, and we don't have a replacement lined up. He kind of is our whole offense right now, opens everything up, so if we have to start Cummings next year I know you're worried.

So there's 4 guys here I seriously have my eye on, I think any one of these guys would be great.

First up is Jacourey McKinley. I told you last year, he could be the guy that makes us a good Group of 5 team. So he's only 5'11, 187. But this dude is electric. We're talking running back athleticism and moves here. Slippery, fast and he can actually throw. Pretty good arm. Right now, talent-wise, he's pretty much a smaller, weaker, slightly faster version of Wendell. He's favoring Kent State though. We have him visiting the week we play them, so that game could be huge for the near future of this team.

But I don't think he's my favorite QB. That would have to be De'Aaron Walker, out of Gahanna, Ohio. He's listed as an athlete, but he wants to play QB. This MF is an NFL player at QB or WR, mark my words. He has the size: 6'1, 218 as a senior. He has NFL arm strength. He's a guy who plays baseball as well, he throws in the low 90s. It translates right over to the gridiron. He's fast, strong, and runs like a running back. He can juke most linebackers and run over most defensive backs. The ONLY knock on him as a prospect is a big one: Consistency. His accuracy comes and goes. His numbers in high school aren't that great: only 1971 yards passing, 12 TD, 7 INT in 11 games this year, bounced in the first playoff game. Ran a lot in HS, 1753 yards, 23 scores as a QB this past season. That's why Ohio State, Michigan, and other Big 10 schools haven't come knocking (yet.) But he would destroy the MAC. 2500 passing, 1000 rushing, 30 scores a year easy. He wants to come here because we can promise that he'll start at QB either as a true freshman or a redshirt freshman.

Then we got the 2 JUCOS from Florida: Fonzo Fisher and Marcus Henderson.
Fisher is a sophomore, Henderson a junior. Fisher was kicked out of FSU after undisclosed team rule violations. He was a 5 star guy coming out of high school. Henderson has just burst on to the D1 recruting scene this year.

Fisher is very, very talented. 6'5, 235. Big arm, solid accuracy, fast, strong.
But his football IQ is horrible, and he's barely staying eligible academically at a junior college. I've watched him play twice. I don't think he calls the plays in the huddle, and I've never seen him check out of anything at the line. His reads are non-existent. If that first guy isn't there for him, he's gonna run or try to chuck it deep. I don't know if this cat is dumb or just doesn't care, but we would likely have to run a very simple offense for him. He's high on Kansas right now, but they have yet to offer him.

Henderson is much more cerebral. Out of all of these guys, he's the one that'll be best on day 1. But he doesn't have that "it" factor. Reminds me a lot of J.T. Barrett, actually. Good size, he's 6'4, 210, good athlete, good arm, but he's not great at anything. Seems like he's just smart and hard-working. He's a guy who has the intelligence to go pro, but probably not the talent. UCF, Georgia Tech, UAB, Mississippi State and Navy all like him.

After these guys we have G Johnny Ham. Stud. Surefire pro in my opinion. Very underrated, it's a battle between us, Miami Ohio, Cincy, BG and few other right now. 6'5, 330, strong, good athlete and a very good all-round blocker. He could switch to tackle.

Secondary is a concern with our safety duo graduating. They cover up a lot of our flaws as a defense. Our corners right now are actually pretty bad.

Sean Louis is a far better corner than anyone we currently have. JUCO JR, plays at NW Florida with Fisher. This guy is an NFL athlete for sure. 6'2, 198, 4.3 speed, 40 inch vert. He's Patrick Peterson, athletically. He's also a really good football player. Lockdown man corner. Good in zone and press, and diagnoses plays really well. The thing about him is that he has an attitude problem, and can't seem to stay eligible. Redshirted at LSU as a freshman, didn't like that and didn't go to class. Kicked out and uses a transfer exception to play for FCS Nicholls State as a redshirt freshman. He butts head with coaches there, fights the head coach in practice, and winds up at a JUCO. He's been tearing it up. He would probably see the field for us as a starting corner, slot receiver, occasional running back, and return man. He's that good. If he wasn't such a knucklehead, he'd be going pro after this year. He'd help us out a lot, but he could screw up the locker room. I spoke to him for a bit and he really, really loves himself. A bit too much. But, we're a small program and the flawed guys are the guys we can get.

Now 2 Ohio corners. Mike Powers and Ronald Wright. Powers is a speedy outside corner, who I see replacing Isaac Robinson after we slide Robinson to safety. Good speed, he's 6'1 and can cover. Only 176 pounds though, badly needs S&C. Ronald Wright is a slot corner through and through. 5'10, 198 pounds, he hits pretty hard, he's physical. Better in zone than man. Wright looks like he'll be coming here, but there's a battle with Akron and Miami Ohio for Powers.



Last, but certainly not least is athlete Devante Griffin. He's 6'7, 240 coming out of high school. Yeah. This guy plays wideout and safety. He's actually a pretty good safety, and if he put on 20 pounds, got better at shedding blocks would be a terror at linebacker. Offensively, he's pretty fast, really agile with great ballcarrier moves for a guy his size, but the main thing with him is his first step. He goes 0 to 60 in half a second. He's not the fastest, probably a 4.5 guy at best, but the first step will get him that separation, and at 6'7, he catches everything. I don't think we even consider putting him on D. He's a wideout or a tight end for sure. It's gonna come down to us and Bowling Green for him.

Those are the top guys I have. We get 4-5 of these guys, one of the QBs, we challenge for the MAC title by 2016. I have a lot more guys that me and my team are gonna follow up on, expect another report in about a month.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G5 - Westlake State @ Ball State

Back To Reality: Swarm blown out at Ball State in first MAC game

The difference in this game. LEFT: Brodie Norman drops an open deep ball. You can see Wendell Hearn on the ground following a hit. RIGHT: Riley Neal celebrates a 40 yard rushing score. Neal had over 330 all-purpose yards.

Line can't hold, Hearn leaves in first half with injury to his non-throwing arm -- Dowdell edges out Brantley, will he keep starting job? -- Riley Neal shreds Swarm with 262 yards through the air

Muncie, IN -- After beating then #6 Kansas State in one of college football's all-time greatest upsets, Westlake State cancelled classes on Monday to celebrate, the football team cancelled practice on Monday and Tuesday, and it was a non-stop party on the school's small campus for 3 days straight.

Now back to reality. The Swarm were ill-prepared for their first ever game in the MAC conference, away at Ball State, led by senior Riley Neal, and they paid the price, getting shredded all day en route to a 38-15 blowout loss.

It started poorly. Wendell Hearn, perhaps missing suspended wideout Thomas Green, couldn't find anyone open in the first quarter, completing just 2 of his 7 passes in the opening frame. The offensive line couldn't seem to hold a block either, with Hearn and Trent Brantley having nowhere to go on the ground. The Swarm defense was able to keep the Cardinals off the board though, helped by 2 drive killing penalties from Ball State.

The second quarter was a bloodbath. Hearn threw a pick on the edge of the redzone after finally putting together a decent drive. Riley Neal would be picked off by Korey Townes, the senior's only real mistake all day. So Swarm football at the opposition 27. Interception, Wendell Hearn, looking over the middle for Stanley Wayne, who never saw the ball. Ball State took full advantage, opening the scoring with a long drive capped by an 8 yard run from tailback Justin Gilbert. The Cardinals would score 14 more points unanswered, before the Swarm came back with a 32 yard field goal from Grant Marquardt. However, on that drive, Wendell Hearn was chased out of the pocket and slammed down, landing on his left arm. He left the game and wouldn't return.

The nature of the injury was unconfirmed, but Hearn will likely play next week

So in came Jeremy Ostrander. Ostrander just isn't a very good quarterback, and was even worse then Hearn was. He would go 9 for 29 in the game, with 86 yards out of 151, and his lone score coming on one pass to Stanley Wayne. That score, and a nice 23 yard run from Louis Dowdell, were the only other points Westlake State would score. Ball State scored 2 more TDs, a long 40 yard scramble from Neal and a 1 yard run TD from Malik Dunner to cap a long drive.

With Trent Brantley returning, and playing a big role in the win over Kansas State, a position battle between him and Dowdell has sprung up. Brantley was in line to be the starter before he strained his left Achilles tendon in training camp. Dowdell is a less physically talented back, who needs his blocks to be set up, but has better vision. The backs will split the load, with Brantley expected to be more of the bell cow.

Westlake State will play at home for the first time since week 2, hosting 1-3 (0-1) Bowling Green at The Hive.

Scoring Summary

[SilverBullet19]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

As for recruiting: I like the JUCO Henderson at QB. He's got the best accuracy, which is most important to me. Hearns might go MLB...as in baseball? That would suck, but it makes sense. It's better money, and safer money in the long run.

As for the game: Ouch. Cancelling practice to celebrate a midseason win is a big mistake. A conference game will always be more important than a non-conference win, and the Swarm learned that the hard way. It was a beginners mistake by a beginner program and coach, hopefully they learn the error of their ways. Seems time to impose the "24 hour" rule. You play on Saturday, by Sunday night it no longer exists, and it's on to the next one.

It sucks you'll likely be missing Hearns this week too. Each injury may push him more and more toward an MLB future, since he is less likely to get hurt there.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

As for recruiting: I like the JUCO Henderson at QB. He's got the best accuracy, which is most important to me. Hearns might go MLB...as in baseball? That would suck, but it makes sense. It's better money, and safer money in the long run.

As for the game: Ouch. Cancelling practice to celebrate a midseason win is a big mistake. A conference game will always be more important than a non-conference win, and the Swarm learned that the hard way. It was a beginners mistake by a beginner program and coach, hopefully they learn the error of their ways. Seems time to impose the "24 hour" rule. You play on Saturday, by Sunday night it no longer exists, and it's on to the next one.

It sucks you'll likely be missing Hearns this week too. Each injury may push him more and more toward an MLB future, since he is less likely to get hurt there.

I want Walker for the fun factor, but Henderson would be the better QB until Walker is a junior or senior. I'm in the lead for Walker though, only QB I'm in the lead for. Henderson is a guy we're in the mix for. Fisher is a Kansas verbal commit (we're down by like 1200 points), and McKinley is on the cusp of going to Kent State. West Virginia is also going after him pretty hard.

The game was rough. I knew we were gonna get blown out in a game, didn't expect it to be right after we beat Kansas State. 24 hour rule will definitely be in effect from now on.

Hearn will actually play against Bowling Green. We do suffer some rough losses in that one though. Because he fell on his left arm, I flipped a coin to decide if he played or not. He plays, but I kept him in the pocket a lot more, and when he ran, I slid pretty fast. He is probably sick of getting hit so much, and has better prospects of going pro in baseball, expect his decision to be announced soon.

Thanks for checking in homie.

Sent from my SM-A520W using Operation Sports mobile app

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G6 - vs Bowling Green

October 11th, 2014

Swarm win first MAC game, first game at The Hive, but suffer losses

Wendell Hearn posts career day with 308 yards, 4 TD -- Linebacker Keith, tailbacks Brantley and Dowdell out

LEFT: Hearn finds Daniel Thompson for TD #1 RIGHT: Adam Reid makes a tough grab for a TD. This play really gave Westlake State momentum.

Westlake, OH -- Bounce back. After a rough 38-15 loss at the hands of Ball State, Westlake State came back home after four consecutive road games and beat now 1-4 Bowling Green in a game that was worse than its 30-20 scoreline would suggest.

Wendell Hearn played this week after an injury to his left arm last week. He didn't run much, and slid when he did. Usually a runner, Hearn stayed in the pocket this week, and played what was statistically the best game in his FBS career: 21/26 passing for 369 yards, 4 touchdowns, and most importantly no interceptions.

He got off to a good start, leading his team downfield and finding Daniel Thompson in the endzone from 12 yards out on the game's first possession. After a few stops were traded, he threw for another touchdown early in the second quarter, this time a 42 yard bomb to junior wideout Adam Reid, and the JUCO transfer made an impressive leaping grab for his first career touchdown. Grant Marquardt's woes with short kicks continued, as he missed another extra point.

After the Swarm stopped the Falcons yet again, Hearn moved his team down the field quickly, and threw a strike to a well covered Robin Da Silva for a 22 yard score, and a 21-0 lead that would essentially end the game.

Bowling Green would get on the board before the half, as their next drive ended in an 18 yard field goal, courtesy of Nate Needham. A 17 yard kick from Needham would be the only score in the 3rd quarter, as a complacent Swarm offense struggled, partially because of Wendell Hearn fumbling twice, while Bowling Green couldn't move the ball, in large part due to quarterback Jarret Doege taking a whopping 9 sacks on the day.

Westlake State would score again 7 seconds into the 4th quarter, with Hearn rolling right on a designed bootleg and finding Calvin Foster for a 36 yard score. Bowling Green were stopped once again, and Westlake State would wind up kicking a 37 yard field goal, making it 30 to 6.

Bowling Green would score twice in garbage time, the second coming after a Dionte Norton fumble, but the game was already over.

It wasn't all good news for the Swarm. Remember that position battle between Louis Dowdell and Trent Brantley? Well, both of them got injured this week. Brantley suffered a grade 2 left ankle sprain, and while his Achilles tendon, the injury from training camp, should be fine, he'll miss anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks, and will likely be shut down for the year. Dowdell got knocked out cold on a vicious hit going up the middle, and he'll miss 2-3 weeks with a concussion. On top of that, Sergio Keith will miss a month, as he dislocated his elbow in a gang tackle. Korey Townes can slide over to middle linebacker, but the running back situation is a little more dire. Dionte Norton is now the #1. He has shown himself to be really bad when he has to be relied on as a bell cow. Wendell Hearn should be able to carry this momentum into next week, but if he doesn't Norton will have to step up. Behind Norton is our backup safety and dime corner Maurquice Pearson. Yes, seriously. That's what Coach Barkley said when asked about the situation.

Well Maurquice [Pearson] is our #2 back right now, and he play safety, dime corner, ain't been a back since high school. If we have another running back injury, I might have to burn Tristan's [Cox] redshirt and that's not something I wanna do. If Wendell plays the way he did today, we should be able to get away with running a lot of spread and running Dionte as a change of pace from the pass. But yeah, both our main bell cow backs are gone for a bit now. Trent I may just shut down for the year if his rehab doesn't go great, that boy only a freshman.

Ouch.

The Swarm will remain at home and play 4-2 (2-0) UMass next week.

(Note: I really wish I thought to put a brace on Hearn's off arm before I played this and the UMass game. Also, in a situation like this I wish I could use the editor to give Brantley a medical redshirt, dude might only play 3 games.)

Scoring Summary

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Y2, G7 - vs UMass

Quick note before this game: I shouldn't be missing so many PAT's after the Akron game. Realized that I was using Tuscaloosa's kicking method wrong, forgot it's different when the ball's between the posts vs outside of them.

October 18th, 2014

Swarm win 26-20 thriller over UMass

Hearn, Norton put the offense on their backs with 439 total yards between them -- Bench WR Mario Lane sees time at tailback after Maurquice Pearson leaves game -- Clutch defensive plays see Swarm overturn 4th quarter deficit

Hearn and Norton

Westlake, OH -- Westlake State moved to 2-1 in MAC play with a heart-stopping 26-20 win over the UMass Minutemen. Dionte Norton, who's been forced into being the Swarm's main running back, was spectacular, putting up 109 rushing yards and 84 receiving yards on just 22 touches. Wendell Hearn continued to look like a star at quarterback, posting 248 passing yards, 2 scores, 82 rushing yards and another 2 scores on the ground, including the game winner with 31 seconds left.

Initially, it looked like UMass might run away with this, as a good Swarm drive got stalled out by a sack and a Thomas Green drop on 3rd down. UMass then got downfield quickly, with Thomas Ford completing passes of 33 and 29 yards within the Minutemen's first 3 plays. But then the defense tightened up, and a Deonte Abrams pass breakup downfield forced a punt. Westlake State would put together another good drive, with a 43 yard pass to Thomas Green getting them past midfield. They then faced a 4th and 1 from the 41, and elected to go for it. The decision paid off, as they got the first, and kept it rolling, eventually scoring off a Wendell Hearn sneak from the 1. Defensive end Jamal Mangum was injured in the first quarter, he's expected to miss 3 weeks with a grade 1 ACL sprain.

UMass came back with a nice drive that ended in a field goal, and after a holding call on the Swarm caused their next drive to stall, would score the next 14 points, as the Swarm struggled to finish drives, in part due to the lack of a run game.

After Sadiq Palmer caught a touchdown, and Andrew Ford ran for one, the Swarm found themselves down 17-7 in a game that wasn't too geared towards offense. A stop, and another UMass score would likely be too much to overcome. And it looked like the Minutemen would get yet another stop, as a 3rd and 4 run play from their own 42 looked to be bottled up. But Dionte Norton finally showcased his speed and elusiveness, and juked his way to the outside, picking up 28 yards and a huge first down. 2 plays later, Wendell Hearn found Thomas Green on a fade route for a 9 yard score, putting the Swarm back in it. 17-14, or at least, it should have been, but Grant Marquardt's woeful year continued, as he missed the first of 2 extra points he would miss in this one.

Nevertheless, Westlake State kept it rolling, as after a good start to the next UMass possession, Thomas Ford underthrew a deep ball, and freshman Isaac Robinson was there to intercept it. But the Swarm couldn't capitalise, going 3 and out. Next possession, UMass looked threatening once again, but Ford was flushed out of the pocket and threw into a crowd and safety Deonte Abrams came up with the pick. Abrams showed off his speed, going 53 yards and outrunning everyone except for tailback Marquis Young, who shoved him out of bounds inside the 20.

Abrams celebrates after the INT

Westlake State would score quickly, with Hearn finding a wide open Calvin Foster for a score. 20-17, Swarm. The Minutemen tied it up with a 38 yard kick on their next drive, and it was 20-20 late in the 4th.

Wendell Hearn looked laser-focused, and found Stanley Wayne and Thomas Green for 15 and 13 yard respectively on the first 2 plays of the next drive. Combine that with a good return, and Westlake State was at the UMass 32. But the line couldn't hold up, and Hearn took a sack after a 1st down incompletion, setting up a 3rd and 17. Westlake State played it safe with a draw play, trusting the defense to deliver.

And they did. UMass did get a first down with a 29 yard pass to Marquis Young, but a sack on a failed screen play put UMass in a hole that they couldn't dig themselves out of. The punt was a good one, however, and there was a clipping call on the return that put the Swarm at their own 14 with just 1:24 left in the game. Overtime loomed, but Westlake State dialed up a screen play of their own on 2nd and 10. UMass blitzed, and Dionte Norton had enough green ahead to gain 53 yards before going out of bounds.

At the UMass 33, Westlake State just ran the ball, with Norton breaking free for a 17 yard gain, before Hearn had gains of 3 and 4 yards. From the 9, Hearn found Calvin Foster, who couldn't get into the endzone. For the second time on the day, Wendell Hearn would score on a QB sneak, this time putting his team up by a score. Well, 6 points. Marquardt missed another PAT.

Hearn wins it

UMass had 31 seconds and one timeout to work with. Ford completed a couple passes, but his last second Hail Mary was picked off well short of the endzone by safety Ray Bentley.

Andrew Ford looks on as his Hail Mary is picked off

Westlake State will make the trip to their home ground from last year, InfoCision Stadium, to play 1-5 Akron.

[young22]

Re: #SWARM - The Reboot

Short recap cause I wanna advance faster

Y2, G8 - L 13-44 @ Akron

Well this was ugly. After Wendell Hearn looked great in wins against BG and UMass, he went 15/38 for 186, TD, INT here. We only managed 88 rushing yards on 28 carries. Kato Nelson destroyed us, throwing for 130 yards and a score on 14/19 passing, and rushing for another 123 and a score on just 18 carries. Deltron Sands had a 65 yard score on his first carry, as he went Beast Mode and broke 3 tackles. He ended up with 133 yards on 16 carries. Our wideouts dropped 6 balls, as Calvin Foster had 4 grabs for 86 yards, but had 4 drops. Stanley Wayne dropped a sure touchdown after the defense lost track of him. He scores that, maybe we win the game. It got really out of hand after that drop, as we punted and Akron ended up scoring 28 points before we finally got a TD. But, Marquardt missed the PAT (big surprise) ,and after Isaac Robinson got beat deep for a 40 yard score to put them up 35-7, I simmed the rest of this one.