Loyola Blanks Rice, Crusaders in Need of Week 9 Victory

The Ramblers took down Brother Rice in a lop-sided victory at Loyola Saturday afternoon by a score of 45-0. To put it simply, the Crusaders had no answer for the high-powered offensive attack of Loyola, who scored at will throughout the game while Rice struggled to cross midfield.

By the end of the first half, the contest was already decided. The Ramblers, led by senior quarterback Peter Pujals, systemically broke down the Crusader defense time and again. On their first two possessions, Loyola drove sixty-plus yards downfield, and concluded each with short touchdown runs by Julius Holley.

Loyola was just getting started. Following a short field goal, Pujals took control. First, he sprinted past all Rice defenders 43-yards into the endzone. Then, a couple of possessions later, he rushed hard again inside the redzone for another TD, giving his team a 31-0 halftime lead and, in essence, the victory.

Meanwhile, the Rice offense, which picked up a mere two first downs in the first half, struggled mightily against the Rambler defense. Quarterback Matt Page, who has played outstanding this year, was unusually off in the passing department. Page threw three first-half interceptions, one of which was returned 36 yards and led to a Rambler touchdown.

The second half proved no different. The Loyola bench played with the same intensity as the starting unit, and extended their lead in the third quarter. First, Colin Skinner rushed about seven yards into the endzone. Then, Page concluded his tough game with a fumble near the goal line that was picked up and scored by Devin Murphy of the Rambler defense.

Loyola is now 7-1 and in prime position to not only win the Catholic League, but to make a run at the state title. As for the Crusaders, a victory against Leo next week is a must if they want to fulfill their goal of reaching the state playoffs. As with their defeat against Providence, Rice has no choice but to move forward and to forget about this tough loss. These Crusaders have a lot of fight in them, and fans will no doubt see that in full effect on the field of Saint Xavier next Friday night.