'Necks duo does damage
Ken Woods
Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Sports
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - The one-two punch of senior running back Herb Donaldson and junior Dre Gibbs rushed for more than 300 yards and help propel the Leathernecks to a 33-21 victory over Missouri State on Saturday.
Donaldson recorded a career-high in rushing attempts with 41 while piling up 273 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Gibbs made the most of his nine carries, rushing for 126 yards and a TD in the contest.
"I know this team; we are going to try to run the ball, and if it's effective, we are going to keep doing it," Donaldson said. "Maybe it is a good matchup, but like I said, if we can run it, we are."
The tandem was seemingly unstoppable. The Bears' (1-3, 0-1 in Valley) defense had no answer for the duo. Gibbs and Donaldson were unwilling to be tackled on first contact, which helped them put on the rushing display.
"Coach always harps on being physical and getting yards after contact and never letting the first man get you down," Donaldson said. "It just comes with the mentality to be physical and keep churning. With the line blocking like that, you have to give all your effort."
The offensive line for Western (3-2, 1-1 in Valley) was able to create holes and manhandle the opposing defensive front the entire contest. The front five cleared the way for 459 yards and five scores on the day.
"We want to be able to establish our run game, and I think our offensive line allowed us to do that today, along with tight ends and fullbacks," acting head coach Mark Hendrickson said. "To me, it's very impressive that we can consistently line up and run the ball for positive yards. I'm very proud of our offensive lineman and (Donaldson) and (Gibbs) and the way that played out in the ball game."
The 'Necks dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half. The defense recorded two turnovers with a forced fumble by senior linebacker Jason Williams and an interception by freshman safety Tim Franken, his third of the season.
Donaldson recorded a career-high in rushing attempts with 41 while piling up 273 yards and four touchdowns in the game. Gibbs made the most of his nine carries, rushing for 126 yards and a TD in the contest.
"I know this team; we are going to try to run the ball, and if it's effective, we are going to keep doing it," Donaldson said. "Maybe it is a good matchup, but like I said, if we can run it, we are."
The tandem was seemingly unstoppable. The Bears' (1-3, 0-1 in Valley) defense had no answer for the duo. Gibbs and Donaldson were unwilling to be tackled on first contact, which helped them put on the rushing display.
"Coach always harps on being physical and getting yards after contact and never letting the first man get you down," Donaldson said. "It just comes with the mentality to be physical and keep churning. With the line blocking like that, you have to give all your effort."
The offensive line for Western (3-2, 1-1 in Valley) was able to create holes and manhandle the opposing defensive front the entire contest. The front five cleared the way for 459 yards and five scores on the day.
"We want to be able to establish our run game, and I think our offensive line allowed us to do that today, along with tight ends and fullbacks," acting head coach Mark Hendrickson said. "To me, it's very impressive that we can consistently line up and run the ball for positive yards. I'm very proud of our offensive lineman and (Donaldson) and (Gibbs) and the way that played out in the ball game."
The 'Necks dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half. The defense recorded two turnovers with a forced fumble by senior linebacker Jason Williams and an interception by freshman safety Tim Franken, his third of the season.
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