Football Earns Dramatic 33-30 Double Overtime Win Over Davenport

OVERVIEW

SCORE: Northwood Timberwolves 33, Davenport Panthers 30
RECORDS: Northwood (5-3, 3-3 GLIAC), Davenport (1-7, 0-6 GLIAC)
LOCATION: Hantz Stadium - Midland, Mich.
RECAP: Northwood earns a wild 33-30 double overtime win over Davenport Saturday afternoon (October 21).

INSIDE THE GAME

• Northwood received a lift on special teams with 4:23 left in a relatively quiet first quarter for both teams. Charles Proctor was able to return a punt 34 yards to around midfield giving the Timberwolves excellent field position. Aided by an unsportsmanlike penalty and 28-yard rush by quarterback Joey Garbarino, Northwood was set up at the Davenport nine-yard line. On the ensuing play, Vashon Nutt was able to sprint to his left to the sideline, breaking the pylon for a nine-yard score to put the Timberwolves up 7-0 2:57 into the second quarter.
• Looking to capitalize on tremendous field position as a result of fumbled snap on an attempted punt by the Panthers, Northwood went to work on the Davenport 33-yard–line mid-way through the second stanza. On their sixth drive, Timberwolves were able to convert on two crucial third down plays thanks to a TJ Schepperly 10-yard rush and 10-yard reception by Andre Carter. Garbarino finished the drive with a nine-yard rush up the middle to extend the lead to 14-0 with 3:33 left in the first half.
• Davenport had yet another misplay on special teams that Northwood ended up capitalizing on. A muffed punt allowed the Timberwolves to start their drive at the 11-yard line. Two plays later, Carter found the end zone on a 7-yard sprint making it a three-score game with 12:10 remaining in the third quarter.
• Davenport was able to get on the board later in the third stanza with six points of their own. The Panthers were able to march 52 yards down the field in 3:27. They capped the drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown with 4:53 left to cut the lead to 21-7.
• Northwood was able to rebound with their longest drive of the contest, bleeding 5:22 off the clock from their own 38-yard-line. Though they failed to convert on a first-and-goal situation from the nine-yard line, the Timberwolves came away with some points from their red zone trip. David Riser made good on a 22-yard field goal attempt to extend the lead to ten points 38 seconds into the final quarter.
• The Panthers again showed some resiliency after receiving some excellent field position starting their ensuing drive on Northwood's 39-yard-line. It took Davenport just four plays to move down the field and score, capping the drive off with a five-yard pass for six. Two minutes after Northwood's field goal, it was a ten-point game with 12 minutes to play.
• Holding Northwood to a three-and-out on the ensuing drive, the Panthers got the ball back on their own eight-yard line. Marching 92 yards out of their own territory, the visitors converted four first downs on their trip to the Northwood end zone. They capped the drive with a six-yard rushing touchdown. A missed extra point kept the Northwood lead at four with 4:13 left.
• Forcing the Timberwolves' third interception of the day, the Panthers took over at the Northwood 47-yard-line on 42-yard return. Converting a crucial fourth down play with just over 30 seconds left, the Panthers had multiple chances to take the lead. With 26 seconds left, they put themselves ahead on a 14-yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone. Making the extra point this time around, they had a 27-24 lead.
• Needing to move quickly into Davenport territory, Garbarino made up for his interception that lead to the go-ahead touchdown. Gaining 34 yards through the air, the Timberwolves set up a 41-yard field goal attempt with six seconds left. With the game on his leg, David Riser was able to put it through the uprights to force overtime.
• In the first overtime, both teams traded field goals with Riser making good from 34 yards out. The second period saw Northwood's defense come up clutch. Dimitri Abro was able to grab a loose ball out of the air in the end zone. Since Davenport had first possession, the Timberwolves had an opportunity to win it. With the game on his leg yet again, Riser converted on a 36-yard field goal to end the game 33-30.

GAME STATS

• FIRST DOWNS: Davenport 19, Northwood 11
• RUSHES-YARDS: Davenport 46-122, Northwood 45-169
• PASSING YARDS: Davenport 126, Northwood 48
• TOTAL OFFENSE, PLAYS-YARDS: Davenport 74-248, Northwood 56-217
• TIME OF POSSESSION: Davenport 35:47, Northwood 24:13

GAME NOTES

• This was the first matchup between the two schools in their respective program histories.
• Northwood had not played an overtime game at Hantz Stadium since November 10, 2007. They defeated Indianapolis 45-42 that afternoon. 
• Dimitri Abro's interception in the second overtime was the first of his collegiate career in his 19^th game.
• David Riser with his four field goals today is now 9-for-14 (64%) on the season. He's converted 24-of-25 (96%) extra points as well.

UP NEXT

• The Timberwolves will travel to Ferris State on Saturday (October 28) for a GLIAC matchup against the Bulldogs. Game time is set for 1 p.m.