Panthers Roll over Choctaws, 35-0

Trent Chmelik - Photo credit: James Ragan Photography

The Florida Tech Panthers scored 28 points in the second half on Saturday, coming away with a 35-0 win over the Mississippi College Choctaws at Robinson-Hale Stadium. With the victory, the Panthers improve to 3-1 on the season, including 2-0 in the Gulf South Conference. 

This was the second straight game that the Panthers defense did not allow a touchdown and the second shutout of the season overall, following the 44-0 drubbing of Virginia University of Lynchburg to start the season. 

“The defense has been unbelievable,” said head coach Steve Englehart, as he started his postgame interview with Jerry Durney and Paul Van Scott. “They've been kind of a bend-don't break style all year and they didn't even bend tonight.” 

Things got off to a good start for the Panthers, who took the ball 76 yards on their opening possession, highlighted by an 18-yard catch by Robert Foy and capped off by a Gary Holmes Jr. touchdown run of seven yards. That put the Panthers up 7-0, with 10:36 to go in the first quarter. 

Mississippi College got one first down on their ensuing drive, but the Panthers defense stood tall, as they did all night long, keeping the Choctaws from getting anything going on that drive.  

Mark Cato got the Panthers going on their second drive with a 21-yard completion to Mason Wilfong and a 12-yard pass to Antwuan Haynes. He followed that up with a pass to Romell Guerrier for 11 yards and seemed to be finding his rhythm. 

A Corey Lane rush for six yards was the only gain the Panthers would get, and coach Steve Englehart sent Zachary Leatherman out to attempt a 47-yard field goal.  

“That's probably on me,” Englehart said. “I should probably go for it at that spot on the field, 47 yards is right at the limit, but I thought it was early enough to try to get one.” 

The Panthers would get another chance at a field goal on their next drive that spilled over into the second quarter, as they went 82 yards on 17 plays, only to have Leatherman miss from 23 yards out after his team held the ball for 6:32 on that drive. 

“Offensively, heck... we moved the ball all over the place,” Englehart said. “I told the guys, it wasn't because we were making mistakes or anything like that. We just didn't make a play and Mississippi College was playing pretty good defense.” 

The Choctaws followed that drive with their best drive of the night, a 12-play, 55-yard drive that set up Greg Nickles from 42 yards out, to attempt a field goal. That would not happen, as the Panthers special teams came up with a huge block, credited to Adonis Davis. It was a huge play and really seemed to get the Panthers headed in the right direction. 

Cato, who had a six-yard run on the previous Panthers drive that resulted in the short missed field goal, was tackled on that play and injured his non-throwing shoulder, according to Englehart. 

“I don't know the extent of his injuries, he could be back next week, or it could be a two or three-week thing,” said Englehart. “He stayed in for three more plays but then just felt like he couldn't go anymore.” 

Enter Trent Chmelik, who took over on the Panthers next possession. The Panthers would be forced to punt on that drive, but Chmelik would get his feet under him in the second half, for sure. 

Florida Tech had 150 total yards in the first half, with Cato going 13-for-17 for 109 yards. Haynes carried the ball 13 times for 89 yards in that first half, while Guerrier had four catches for 41 yards, leading the receiving corps. 

After the two teams traded punts to start the second half, Mississippi College punted for a second time with six minutes to go in the third. 

Chmelik started with a 14-yard pass to Tityus Mitchell and after 22 yards rushing from Haynes on the next three plays, Guerrier got loose for 47 yards, down to the Choctaws 7-yard line. Demetrius Frazier got into the end zone two plays later, putting the Panthers up 14-0. 

After forcing a third Mississippi College punt, the Panthers offense was on the prowl again, as Chmelik found Frazier for a 56-yard score, giving the Panthers a 21-0 lead. The drive took just four plays to go 78 yards in 1:27. 

The Choctaws next drive spilled over into the early moments of the fourth quarter and they were forced to punt, again. Only this time, the Panthers special teams didn't allow it, as Lane got push up the middle and blocked the punt. Daniel Welch recovered it, setting the Panthers up at the Mississippi College 18.  

“That was still set up for a return,” Englehart said if the block. “Those guys wanted to get a block and we knew we had a chance because that punter at times doesn't get it off real fast and that was Corey Lane, I'm proud of him.” 

It took the Panthers five plays, but Chmelik finished it off right, calling his own number and going two yards for the score and a 28-0 lead for the visitors. 

After another punt by Mississippi College, the Panthers put the final nail in the coffin, putting together a 50-yard drive that ended with Simon Williams catching his first touchdown as a Panther, spinning into the end zone after a 21-yard reception and giving the Panthers their winning margin. 

Chmelik finished the night completing 9-of 14 passes for 181 yards and three touchdowns. He also had the one rushing TD. 

“Really proud of Trent,” Englehart said. “Trent prepares like no quarterback I've ever had. He's been a great teammate and he puts himself in position to be the guy.” 

Haynes, the reigning GSC Offensive Player of the Week, followed up his 188-yard performance against Shorter last week, with 139 yards on 22 carries this week. 

Guerrier was the Panthers leading receiver, catching six passes for 103 yards. Frazier caught four balls for 71 yards, including the two touchdowns. 

For more info: Florida Tech @ Mississippi College Box Score 

“Proud of our guys, proud of the defense that played really well,” said Englehart. “Overall I thought our discipline was good, I thought we executed well. Defensively it was a turnover-free game and this is something I've never seen before, I've never seen our defense go four games without getting a turnover.” 

Holmes Jr. was injured on the first kickoff, according to Englehart, but said he didn't think his injury would hold him out long, Holmes was just worried about hanging on to the ball. 

Next week is the second installment of the Coastal Classic against West Florida. It is the first game of this rivalry to be played at Florida Tech Panther Stadium. 

“We need to pack the place and I think we will,” Englehart said. “West Florida is going to bring a lot of fans too and by golly, they better not bring more fans than what we have. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Saturday. If you can't make it out, catch Jerry and Paul with the call on 89.5 WFIT and WFIT.org. 

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