Print Email

By BOB DAVIDSON | Salina Journal

The game's official name is the College Fanz NAIA Senior Classic.

Ethan Haller and Corey Schultz made it seem like Ottawa University's Pro Day.

Haller, the Braves' All-American quarterback, and Schultz, a standout wide receiver who also earned All-America honors, played pitch-and-catch all day in leading the National team to a 34-21 victory Saturday afternoon at Salina Stadium.

Haller, the game's offensive MVP, completed 33 of 43 passes for a Classic-record 286 yards and three touchdowns. He also had two passes intercepted. Schultz caught 10 passes for a game-record 100 yards and two touchdowns.

"It's the best thing playing with your quarterback," said Schultz, who caught 85 passes for 1,535 yards and eight touchdowns last fall as Ottawa finished with an 11-1 record. "We checked into a couple of plays that people don't know and were on the same page. He missed me on one. I'll have to dig him on that. But he played great."

"We've been together for two and a half years, so it's a lot easier than it is for these other guys," said Haller, who threw for a whopping 4,882 yards and 48 touchdowns last fall. "It's hard when you have a rotation to get a good feeling with all of your receivers, so it's nice to have someone you're comfortable with."

Haller completed two passes for 26 yards to tight end Taylor Burnett, who also played at Ottawa.

The Nationals led 13-6 at halftime and Haller hit Schultz with a 43-yard touchdown pass with 10:14 left in the third quarter, making it 20-6.

Aaron Hodges of MidAmerica Nazarene intercepted a Haller pass and returned it a game-record 60 yards for a touchdown to bring the Americans within five, 20-15, with 1:07 in the third quarter.

Haller and Schultz promptly answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass with 12:57 left in the game for a 27-15 lead. Branden Smith of Southern Nazarene (Okla.) went 8 yards for a touchdown with 5:34 remaining, making it 34-15 and effectively sealing the deal.

Haller and Schultz said they were happy they were able to represent the Kansas Conference so well.

"When we came in we heard a lot of talk about the weak KCAC. I heard some smack from the other team and my team about being an All-American, stuff like that," said Schultz, who played at Topeka Hayden. "You just come in, get a clear mindset and go out and play. That's what we did and we played as a team."

Haller, who hails from Anaheim, Calif., concurred.

"That is kind of nice. It seems like the KCAC kind of gets a bad rap. It's nice to show everybody we can play good football," he said.

American quarterback Tim Richard, an All-American at Morningside (Iowa) had a tough day, going 19 of 45 for 251 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. He was sacked twice.

Jared Elmore, a wide receiver from MidAmerica Nazarene, was the American's top offensive player, catching four passes for 72 yards.

Seven Kansas Wesleyan Coyotes played for the Nationals.

nSafety Richie Raught thwarted an American drive with an interception at the Nationals' 10-yard line early in the fourth quarter. He also had a tackle.

n Placekicker Scotty McKeon booted a 29-yard field goal in the second quarter and two extra points in the fourth quarter.

n Defensive linemen Charles Starling and Joe LaLone each had two tackles, one of LaLone's a sack.

Quinn Cunningham, a Salina native who played at Friends, also played for the Nationals and batted down a two-point conversion pass in the third quarter.

* Sports editor Bob Davidson can be reached at 822-1404, or by e-mail at bdavidson@salina.com

Discuss This Story:

Email this story to a friend:

Subject:

Recipient:

Sender's email (required):



Enter text seen above: