By Brian Bohl
Kareem Huggins stood on the sideline wearing a blue sweatsuit instead of pads and a helmet. Hofstra’s star running back and kick returner could only watch his teammates rack up points aanist William and Mary Saturday, as an ankle injury shelved the Colonial Athletic Associations’ all-purpose yardage leader.
But quarterback Bryan Savage compensated for the void by producing his most complete game of the season, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for three more in a 38-14 blowout victory at Shuart Stadium. Without his biggest play-maker, the junior passer torched the Tribe defense in the first half, starting 11-12 for 165 yards, contributing to all four touchdowns while building a 21-point halftime lead on an overcast afternoon.
“Bryan’s very athletic and to utilize his foot speed is something we try to do,” coach Dave Cohen said. “William and Mary plays a lot of hard coverage into the boundaries, [so] there corners were outside-in. That gave Bryan the opportunity on the quarterback read plays to run inside-out with their secondary support outside.”
Entering the contest, Savage had thrown five more interceptions than touchdowns. He improved those numbers against a W&M defense that was allowing the most points in the 12-team CAA, recording a staggering 223 quarterback rating. The Tribe came into Hempstead surrendering almost 38 points per game, a weakness the Pride passing attack exploited for an 88 percent completion percentage.
“We just wanted to get pressure up front because the last two games, they were minus-six in turnovers,” Tribe linebacker Josh Rutter said. “We figured if we could get after him, he’d make a couple of mistakes. But we just didn’t execute the way we need to.”
Hofstra (7-2, 4-2) snapped a two-game losing streak and tied UMass for first place in the North Division standings. The Tribe put an early scare into the sparse crowd of 3,151 early in the first quarter after they recovered a bad snap on a Pride punt attempt, leading to Terrence Riggins’ three-yard touchdown drive.
The Pride took control starting with the ensuing possession. Freshman running back Everette Benjamin struggled to get into a rhythm early, though Savage (15-17 for 196 yards) was able to scramble when he couldn’t find the open man. One week after rushing 16 times in a loss to Villanova, the 6-2, 208-pound passer was credited with 13 carries, capitalizing on the Tribe’s worst-rated rushing defense.
“As we get later in the season, the weather conditions only get worse,” Cohen said. “Run defense, and more important run offense, will be determining factors to have success in these conditions.”
Benjamin logged 15 carries for 59 yards and fellow red-shirt freshman Jeff Aime carried 23 times for 84 yards-all in the second half-to keep the clock moving. Aime, a Queens Village native, rushed only four times in two games before getting an expanded role.
“I didn’t have to do much. The line did a great job,” said Savage, who was not sacked one week after Villanova’ pressure produced four sacks. “Our running backs ran the ball great. For me, it was an easier game because when I’m faking the ball to Everette and Jeff and everyone is going to them, it’s easier for me to pull it and run in the open.”
When he wasn’t running in the open, Savage also scored points with his arm. His two touchdown throws came on fade passes, with the first a perfectly placed lob to Charles Sullivan.
Sullivan caught a six-yard jump-ball in the corner of the end zone, grabbing the pass at its apex before landing in bounds for his sixth touchdown reception of the season. Ottis Lewis also caught a similar pass to make it 28-7 in the third quarter, getting a step on Tribe defensive back Ben Cottingham in man coverage before making an over-the-shoulder grab. He retained possession while getting pushed out of bounds. Lewis also added a 45-yard reception, helping Hofstra cope with Huggins’ injury.