U.S. takes a commanding lead CATHOLIC AT COAST GUARD
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Jersey City, N.J. — Phil Mickelson and Kevin Kisner rehearsed the dance from “Three Amigos.” The only question was whether to use it at the Presidents Cup, and as the veteran of 23 team events, Mickelson concluded it would need to be a big moment.
Their match was all square on the 18th hole Friday. Mickelson was 12 feet away for birdie. A victory would give the Americans a record lead.
“If this putt goes in,” Mickelson said he told his rookie partner, “we're going to dance.”
This turned out to be one big dance party for an American team that has gone nearly two decades without losing. They hammered the International teams on the back nine to go unbeaten in fourballs and build an 8-2 lead, the largest margin after two sessions since the Presidents Cup began in 1994.
Mickelson had his 24th match victory to tie the Presidents Cup record held by Tiger Woods, and he set a record with his 10th victory in fourballs. As for that dance ? It looked a little awkward, though Mickelson did slightly better than when he cropped most of his face out of a selfie he took during the opening ceremony with the last three U.S. presidents.
“I'm clearly the worst selfie taker. I'm the worst ‘Three Amigos' dancer,” Mickelson said. “But I can putt.”
So can his teammates, who have followed the script set out by U.S. captain Steve Stricker to win every session. They won handily in the other three matches. The other match was a halve, but even in that one, Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Hadwin had a 2-up lead with four holes to play until Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed rallied. The Americans nearly won that one, too, except that Spieth narrowly missed birdie putts on the last two holes.
“Our guys stepped up again,” Stricker said. “They have a knack for doing that. To finish like that is huge for us going into tomorrow.”
Mathematically, the International team could be done today, the first day of a double session — four matches of foursomes in the morning, following by four matches of fourballs in the afternoon. The Americans are 7 1/2 points away from clinching the cup.
“I think we saw the strength of the U.S. team come out today,” Price said.
He also saw his team play its worst golf on the back nine at Liberty National. The Americans won 13 holes on the back nine. The Internationals won three. Saturday, 1:30 p.m. Cadet Memorial Field, New London. Catholic 2-2 overall, 0-1 NEWMAC; Coast Guard 3-1 overall, 1-0.
Catholic, QB Alejandro Ros (54-for-127, 718 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs), RB Chance LeGrand (39 carries, 168 yards, 1 TD), WR Andrew Keleher (9 catches, 129 yards, 1 TD), WR Ray Riveros (9 catches, 120 yards, 1 TD), DE Patrick Vidal (36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks), DB Luke Kern (45 tackles, 2 INT), P Andrew DiNardo (45.4 yards per kick). Coast Guard, QB Ryan Jones (0-for-2, 1 INT), RB Cam Cecchini (56 carries, 202 yards, 2 TDs; 15 catches, 123 yards, 1 TD), WR Justin Moffatt (17 catches, 203 yards, 2 TDs), WR Cody Bain (17 catches, 179 yards, 2 TDs), DT Jack Brandt (22 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks), LB Jake Behne (27 tackles), LB Titus Creamer (24 tackles, 3 sacks), DB Patrick Crowley (28 tackles, 2 INTs), P Chip Crowley (38.5 yards per kick), K Cole Austin (7-for8 PATs, 6-for-7 FGs).
It’s fair to say that Coast Guard spent the bulk of the week’s practice readying sophomore Ryan Jones for his debut at starting quarterback. “I don’t want to say a scrimmage, but we’re going to move the ball like it’s a game,” coach Bill George said earlier in the week. “You want to get him in the atmosphere.” Jones became the go-to guy after starter Ethan Goldcamp, who leads the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference with 239 passing yards per game, left the Bears’ game at Norwich in the fourth quarter due to dizziness and spent the night in the hospital. Jones has attempted only two passes in his career, one Saturday which was intercepted off a deflection. George emphasizes that Jones, a 6-foot, 210-pound former quarterback/cornerback at Punxsutawney (Pa.) High School is a “tremendous athlete.” Jones threw for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns as a senior in high school and also finished with four interceptions at corner. “We’re going to do some things with him,” George said. “People just have to step up.” ... Last week, Coast Guard defeated Norwich 13-9 in the first NEWMAC game in program history after moving this season from the New England Football Conference. The Bears have now gone nine straight quarters without allowing a touchdown and find themselves ranked first in the league allowing 11 points per game (16th nationally in Division III), 254 yards per game (26th nationally) and 105.5 rushing yards per game . ... The Bears are off to a 3-1 start for the first time since 2007 . ... Catholic lost its NEWMAC opener last week to MIT 38-21. Freshman running back Chance LeGrand had 22 carries for 115 yards and a touchdown and senior strong safety Luke Kern had 12 tackles and two interceptions. The Cardinals have wins over Utica (16-10) and Randolph-Macon (25-20). Defensive end Patrick Vidal (6-3, 260) worked out in the offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins . ... Catholic topped Coast Guard 37-35 last season, thwarting a comeback led by Goldcamp off the bench. Goldcamp came on for an injured Derek Victory and passed for 380 yards, including 319 yards and three touchdowns in the second half. The game featured 1,102 yards of offense between the teams.
Players to watch: Analysis: — Vickie Fulkerson