DePauw traveled to Pittsburgh, Penn., on Saturday for its third game of the season and lost against host Carnegie Mellon University. DePauw (0-3) committed four turnovers and allowed more than 500 total yards of offense to the Tartans who advanced to 4-0 on the season. The final score of the contest at the Tartans' field turf Gesling Stadium was 51-28.
"I think we hurt ourselves in a number of respects," said interim head coach Scott Srnka. "We played a really disciplined football team. Everything we need to do is from a mental standpoint."
Offensively, both squads totaled more than 1,000 yards combined. Defense was nowhere to be found, as both defensive backfields gave up more than 300 yards through the air.
The game began with an 83 yard touchdown pass from junior Tartans quarterback Rob Kalkstein to sophomore Tim Swanson on a pass to the flat.
The first half also gave way to a consistent rushing attack from both teams. With the Tigers running game in question prior to this matchup, junior tight end Andrew Cusumano entered the game and gave the Tiger offense impactful runs. Cusumano's performance gave opportunities for tailbacks such as Armani Cato and Ahmen Galley to total healthy runs. Cusumano finished with 12 carries and 81 yards.
But Carnegie Mellon was able to counter throughout with motion, jet sweep running plays. Carnegie Mellon's backup fullback, Zach Erra-Hernandez, had two touchdowns in the first half as its wing-t offense diversified with different rushing attacks and passing sets.
To make a tough first half worse for the Old Gold, sophomore quarterback Drew Seaman was knocked out of the game after a huge hit by AK Brefo in the second quarter. Freshman Justin Murray would take over under center and his passing ability impressed as he finished the game 20-40-2 for 254 yards and four touchdown passes.
"I think he did an outstanding job coming in for Drew," Srnka said. "It's been a back and forth effort between those two guys this season."
After a 30-point deficit at halftime, Murray threw for three passing touchdowns in the second half, to Sophomore D.J. Steward and seniors Taylor Wagner and Bobby Coburn.
The 28 points scored for the Tigers was the most points tallied for the DePauw offense since Oct. 22, 2011 when the Tigers beat Ohio Wesleyan 34-10 in Delaware, Ohio. The 515 yards of total offense and 27 first downs are also huge positive attributes for an altogether capable offensive unit.
"We need to do our jobs," Srnka said. "It's the short game, and that's what was hurting us against St. Olaf. From the back end (defensively), we have got to get much better."
DePauw eyes its first win this season when it hosts Washington University in St. Louis at home on Saturday. DePauw's fourth game of the season is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff at Blackstock Stadium and will be broadcast live on 91.5 WGRE.