Rain didn't stop Snow College from racing past Trinity Valley Community College Thursday night. The Badgers started their season off with a bang defeating the Cardinals 36-14 in their season opener.
The game didn't start out in the Badgers favor, though, as each team started with a three-and-out. On Snow College's first play in its second drive, Badgers starting quarterback Donovan Smith's pass was picked off by Michael Brown, who took it 77 yards the other way for the score. The PAT gave the Cardinals a quick 7-0 lead three and a half minutes into the game.
The Badgers would respond quickly as they would take their next drive into the end zone. New quarterback Kamen Best led the Badgers on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that culminated with a 1-yard touchdown run by Targhee Lambson. Bradford Willis' extra point was true and Snow College drew even with TVCC, 7-7.
Snow College got the passing game going on its next drive as Best found Elijah Ervin for an 11-yard touchdown to give the Badgers a 14-7 edge. Best and Ervin would prove to be a good combo as they would once again connect three drives later for a nine-yard pitch-and-catch that resulted in another Badger touchdown.
Lightning struck, figuratively, on the next TVCC drive as John Taumoepeau forced, recovered and took to the house a 50-yard fumble. The Cardinals would recover quickly and score on a 75-yard touchdown from quarterback Darion Peace to wide receiver Trent Hudson. The Badgers would take a 28-14 lead into halftime.
It was the Badgers defense that was the story throughout the entire game. The Cardinals were only able to manage two rushing yards the entire night against the Snow College front. The Badgers were able to get to Peace on a regular basis recording seven sacks for a total loss of 63 yards, two of those sacks coming from Cole Bowers.
In contrast, the Badgers running attack was what carried the offense for much of the day. Snow College managed to amass 184 yards of rushing carried mostly by Lambson and Carson Manookin. Lambson got a bulk of the carries getting 34 touches for 121 yards and a touchdown. Lambson also caught a pair of passes out of the backfield for a total of 26 yards. Manookin provided a good second punch getting 14 carries for 63 yards.
Rain became a factor in the second half as the heavens opened up at halftime. It didn't take long before it affected the Cardinals. On 4th and 7 from their own 17, the snap went over the head of TVCC punter Jake Gaster. Gaster then committed a penalty by kicking the ball on the ground out of the back of the end zone to prevent a Badger from recovering the ball for a touchdown. The infraction resulted in a safety and gave the Badgers a 30-14 lead.
Snow College would salt the game away for good early in the fourth quarter as Marquis Montgomery leaped high into the air to snatch down the 27-yard pass from Best in the end zone. The extra point dinged off the left upright, but the Badgers had claimed all the cushion it would need as they would continue to clamp down defensively and claim the victory, 36-14.
Best led the Badger offense going 14-28 for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Taylor Larsen caught three passes for 56 yards. Montgomery finished with 36 yards receiving while Ervin had 35 yards through the air and two touchdowns on three catches.
Bowers paced Snow College defensively with 10 total tackles including two sacks. Kohl Hogan had seven solo tackles while Taumoepeau and Zach Nowatzke each had five tackles and a total of 3.5 tackles for loss to aid the Badgers in the victory.
Now the Badgers will turn their attention to the top team in all the land. Snow College will travel to Roswell, New Mexico to take on New Mexico Military Institute in a top five matchup. The No. 1 Broncos will host the No. 5 Badgers inside the Wool Bowl Saturday. Kick off is set for 6 p.m. For additional content and streaming information, visit snowbadgers.com.
