Supan super in big
VPS gridder win
By Jesse Phelps

Last year the Villanova football team lost to L.A. Lutheran. It wasn't even close. It was only one of many losses in a year when, some might say, nothing went right. But now those memories are fading fast. The Wildcats are 2-2 after upending the Lions in this year's showdown, 59-14 on Saturday afternoon at their home field.

Cody Supan scored three of his team's seven rushing touchdowns, the last on a 73-yard scamper, and the game was called on the mercy rule near the end of the third period. Dae Hee Jung also scored twice for the Wildcats and quarterback Adrian Gutierrez ran for a touchdown and also completed a scoring pass to receiver Sean Forster.

The Villanova offense was hot from the get-go. Supan opened the game with two first-quarter touchdowns. Gutierrez plunged in from a yard out nearly five minutes into the second quarter and the ensuing two-point conversion made it 22-0 Wildcats.

On L.A. Lutheran's next play from scrimmage, Kelly Johnson's 65-yard touchdown run put the Lions on the board. But Villanova answered immediately.

Ryan Kudla went for a 60-yard touchdown run of his own and followed with a two-point conversion to make the score 30-6. Jung scored on Villanova's next possession and the rout was on.

Lorenzo Diaz managed another score for the Lions just before halftime and Johnson added a two-point conversion to make it 38-14 at the break.

In the third quarter, Jung went off-tackle for his second score of the day, which was followed by Forster's 20-yard touchdown reception.
A big hit knocked Lion quarterback Chad Johnson out of the game late in the third quarter and the crowd waited patiently as an ambulance carted him from the field after some delay.

Mercifully, it didn't take long for Villanova to end things from there. Supan finished what he began with his big run down the sideline and Villanova had its second big win of the year.

Supan credited his teammates for making things relatively easy. "The line was awesome today, both defensively and offensively," he said.
"Supan finally had his big day," said Villanova Coach John Muller. "He finally had his breakout moment. He's a kid that works hard and he got a little bit of his today, which is good for him."

Supan finished with 179 yards on the ground on only eight carries. Jung also ran eight times, for 113 yards. Kudla gained 89 yards on six carries.

Forster led the 'Nova defense with 11 tackles and a sack. Paul Song was also a dominating presence, recording eight tackles, three of which went for losses.

"Those three guys on the defensive line had a great game last week against a real tough team and coming into today - these guys run the ball very well - they needed to play well and they did," said Muller.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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