Putting their 20-0 loss to the Glasgow Tigers in 2011 firmly behind them, the University of Stirling Clansmen bounced back to record a 58-0 victory over the UWS Pyros.

 

Early in the first quarter, with third year RB Tony McDowall running across on a sweep, sophomore quarterback Cam McDonald - enjoying his first start for the Clansmen - faked the hand-off, cut back inside and opened the scoring with a 24-yard rushing touchdown. The Clansmen, on a wet and muddy pitch that occasionally gave way under foot, failed to convert.

 

The Pyros fought back but quickly found themselves under pressure with Clansmen linebacker Ahmed El-Hag forcing a fumble.

On the following drive the Clansmen's offensive running game looked efficient and well-oiled with the offensive line opening wide gaps for running-back Tony McDowall and quarterback Cam McDonald to glide through. Second year player McDonald, in his first start for the Clansmen, scored another rushing touchdown from 15 yards out, with the two point conversion thereafter duly converted.

 

After a series of short-yardage gains, occasionally losing yardage to a Pyros defence keen to put their 90-0 defeat behind them, the Clansmen opened up the passing game with McDonald, having already rushed for 57 yards and 2 touchdowns, threading a pass over the top to slot receiver Grant Fraser who cut up field for a 27-yard passing touchdown.

 

Just before half time, after an effective display from the Clansmen defense with third-year defensive-back Duncan Adams intercepting a pass from the Pyros' quarterback, the Clansmen once again forced their way into the Pyros' red-zone, which allowed second-year running-back Matthew Barrington to put his name on the score sheet with a 5-yard rushing touchdown.

 

Entering the second half, with a 30-0 lead, the Clansmen's spirits were high and unfortunately for the Pyros that meant that the scoreboard continued to tick over with another passing touchdown coming from QB Cam McDonald, this time to wide-out Chris McCrum and McDonald capped off his first start for the men in green with another rushing touchdown, before giving way to normal starting quarterback QB Luis Stephenson, who also rushed for a score.

 

Head Coach Rob Orr said " I am pleased with the result today, especially as we only just returned from the winter break." Orr continued "The game-plan worked well and after the disappointing loss to Glasgow just before the winter break, it was good to see everyone keeping their discipline and playing smart"

 

The Clansmen are now 4-1 for the season and lie tied for second in the Border Conference of the British Universities American Football League (BUAFL) behind the Newcastle Raiders, who remain 5-0.