Box Score (New/Sortable Format) CANTON, Ohio – Edinboro and Walsh squared off in the 2013 season opener at Fawcett Stadium, the home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  When the smoke had cleared, it was a game that belonged in the halls along the NFL's greats.  The Fighting Scots would prevail, 35-34, after Walsh went for two and failed with eight seconds left, then had a desperation heave fall incomplete as the game ended.

The victory was the 50^th of head coach Scott Browning's career.  An assistant for 20 years for assuming the head coaching duties in 2006, Browning is now 50-29 in his eighth season.

Edinboro held a seemingly safe 35-21 lead with just over ten minutes to play after Jeremy Donaldson bulled in from two yards out.  That concluded a 12-play, 79-yard drive, one of four drives of more than 60 yards for the Fighting Scots.  It featured four straight runs by Donaldson, totaling 18 yards, before Cody Harris hit Marcus Johnson for a 21-yard strike down to the Walsh 2.  Donaldson, a sophomore tailback, scored on the next play on a run off left guard.

Leading by two touchdowns with 10:33 to play, the Edinboro defense was unable to come up with the big play against the Walsh offense.  The Cavaliers answered with a 14-play, 68-yard drive, with Paul Kempe throwing a four-yard scoring pass to Jerald Robinson with 6:15 remaining.  The Michigan transfer made a diving catch.

Johnson returned the ensuing kickoff 71 yards and Edinboro looked to be back in business at the Walsh 24.  The Fighting Scots would drive to the five before stalling, and when Mike Simon's 22-yard field goal attempt was blocked, the Cavaliers still had life with 2 minutes, 40 seconds to play and 90 yards to go.

Walsh would drive 90 cover all 90 yards in a grueling 17 plays, converting on four third downs.  The one that hurt the most was a trick play on a 3^rd-and-18 play, as halfback Justin Keith threw 43 yards to Anthony Schrock.  That brought the ball down to the Boro 25.with 56 seconds left. 

The Boro defense appeared ready to answer the challenge until Kempe found Darryl Gray for 18 yards to the seven on yet another third down play.  Then on 3^rd-and-goal from the four Edinboro was called for pass interference in the end zone, placing the ball at the two.  Following a pair of incompletion, Kempe rolled left and found Schrock for a two-yard touchdown pass with just eight seconds left.

First-year coach Ted Karras Jr., who led Marian to the 2012 NAIA national championship, eschewed the extra point and instead went for two.  When Kempe's pass fell short, it appeared the Fighting Scots had survived.

They had one more bullet to dodge, however.  Walsh would recover the ensuing onside kick as just four seconds went off the clock.  Kempe's Hail Mary into the end zone fell incomplete, and Edinboro could finally celebrate.

It was a game with some incredible offensive numbers.  Walsh finished with 402 total yards while running off a staggering 108 plays.  Edinboro finished with 395 yards and converted 12 of 19 third downs.  In addition, after allowing 41 sacks a year ago, they did not give up one.  Harris had another big game.  The senior completed 36 of 47 passes for 304 yards with 4 TDs.  It marked his xx career 300-yard game.  In the process he moved into xxxx.

Ben Eisel hauled in a career-best 11 passes for 84 yards, while Kevin Sonnie added seven grabs for 57 yards and a pair of touchdowns.  Darren Massey caught five passes for 46 yards and a score before exiting with an injury before the end of the first quarter.       
      
Kempe ended the night completing 39 of 67 passes, both records by an opposing quarterback, for 389 yards, with 3 TDs and an interception.  He added 63 yards rushing on 19 carries.

Walsh jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on the first possession of the season, as Kempe directed an eight-play, 70-yard drive that took just 2 minutes, 20 seconds.  Aaron Male capped the march on a one-yard run and the Cavaliers had gained a quick lead.

The Fighting Scots' offense would have the ball in Walsh territory on all six of their possessions in the first half, and reached paydirt three times, all on touchdown passes from Harris. 

An interception by Delano Fabor, a University at Buffalo transfer playing in his first game, halted a Walsh drive.  The Fighting Scots would follow with a nine-play, 74-yard drive that culminated with an 11-yard pass from Harris to redshirt Massey.  Harris completed all seven of his pass attempts in the drive for 53 yards.  The senior signalcaller found Massey open at the five in the left flat, and he would score his first career six-pointer.  On the previous play, Harris kept the drive alive, converting a 4^th-and-3 with an eight-yard pass to Massey.

Massey would catch five passes for 46 yards in the first 12 minutes of the game, but he left with an injury and would not return.

Following a three-and-out by Walsh, Edinboro took a 14-7 lead thanks to a 41 yard march in seven plays.  It was set up by a 15-yard punt return by Eisel.  Massey got it going with back-to-back catches for 26 yards to the 15 before exiting.  Harris ended it when he found freshman tight end Nick Helmich open in the back of the end zone for a three-yard touchdown pass.  The freshman juggled it before hauling in his first career reception.

After missing a 27-yard field goal earlier in the second quarter, Walsh would knot the score at 14-14 with 5:01 left before the half thanks to an impressive 15-play, 80-yard drive that featured the bruising running of Steve Smith and the running and passing of Kempe.  A junior making his first career start, Kempe converted two third down plays and a fourth down.  His 10-yard hookup with Smith a 4^th-and-2 gave the Cavaliers a first-and-goal at the three.  On the next play Male scored his second touchdown, this one on a three-yard run off right tackle.

Edinboro grabbed a 21-14 lead at the half as Harris directed the Scots on an eight-play, 75-yard march.  He completed an 18-yard pass to Kellen O'Neill, followed by a 17-yarder to D'Andrea Vaughn.  Following an incompletion, Donaldson burst for 13 yards to the 12.  On the next play, Harris found Sonnie for the first of his two touchdown grabs.

The sophomore added a second one arly in the third quarter as Edinboro took the second half kickoff and went 63 yards.Harris completed six of seven passes in the drive, the last a 10-yarder to Sonnie, who vaulted into the end zone after catching the ball at the five on a crossing pattern.  That made it 28-21 with 11:12 left in the third.

Walsh closed to 28-21 when Robinson caught his first six-pointer as a Cavalier, leaping for a six-yard scoring toss in the back of the end zone.        

The going doesn't get any easier for Edinboro next Saturday, September 14 as the Fighting Scots play their home opener.  They'll host 19th-ranked Bloomsburg at 12 noon.