Hart's offensive performance was very workmanlike but marred by turnovers. The defense was superb.

The two biggest things to come out of this game: Norton finally threw an interception (2nd quarter). That's pretty amazing - 7 and 1/2 games with no INTs.

The other big issue: injuries! Midway through the third quarter Ryan Wolfe was injured. It appeared that he had a very severe cut on his hand. He was taken from the sidelines after the doctor looked at him and I never saw him again. I'm assuming he had to get some stitches. Later Henry Criss, a defensive tackle, had some sort of neck/head/collarbone injury. The doctor spent time looking at him and he too never returned to the game. These two plus the injury to OL Zimmerman, who was on the sidelines on crutches is not an encouraging picture.

Here's the summary:

Hart kicked off and Burroughs, starting at the 17, went 3 and out.

Hart started the Indians' first drive at the Hart 40 and after 2 consecutive first downs, including a 31-yard pass to Wolfe, stalled out at the Burroughs 15. Hart tried and missed a 32-yard field goal from there at 8:11 in the first quarter.

Burroughs started the next drive at the 20 and managed a couple of first downs and got out to the 48. They got stuffed there and went for it on fourth and 3, got stopped with no gain and Hart took over.

Hart's first play was a 21-yard pass to Howard plus a roughing penalty which put Hart at the Burroughs 13. Wilson took a pass down to the 4 and Hart scored 3 plays later on a Howard run. Hart 7-0 with 1:24 in the first.

Burroughs bobbled the kickoff so got no return yards and started at the 15. Burroughs moved to the 41 but then had a run for a loss, an incomplete and a sack and had to punt.

Hart started the next series on the 22 and went three and out with a sack. On the next play, Burroughs, starting at the 47 threw an INT to Kase who went down at the Hart 34. Hart moved the ball down to the Burroughs 38 on 5 plays. Then - the INT. Norton launched one to the endzone and it was just a little short of the receiver and was picked off in the endzone and returned to the 15. It was the 12th INT for the kid who picked it off. It didn't do much good. Following one first down, Burroughs had two consecutive losses on running plays and had to punt.

Hart started at the Hart 42 and 7 plays later scored on a 6-yard pass to Wolfe. The big play in the series was a 36-yard pass to Kase on 3rd and 13. It was then 14-0 Hart with 37 seconds left in the half.

Now the big faux pas for Burroughs: after another kick to the end zone they started at the 20. The first play was a 22-yard pass play to the 42. The next play was an incomplete. The third play was a nine-yarder to the Hart 49, the only time Burroughs crossed the 50 in the half. Next play: INT by Wilson returned for a TD (55 yards) and Hart was up 21-0 with 8 seconds left.

Norton was 9 for 14, 112 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT in the first half. The numbers are a little deceiving because Hart was playing a short field most of the half. Burroughs also ran the vast majority of the time, running a lot of time off the clock.

Burroughs kicked off to start the second half. It looked like Kevin Ciccone had the makings of a nice return (about 15 yards) when he coughed the ball up and Burroughs took over at the Hart 25. That really seemed to fire up the defense. Two plays later Burroughs was only on the Hart 23 and went for it on fourth down. Elledge intercepted (actually not the best move on fourth down) and Hart took over on the 20 (net 3 yards on the drive for Burroughs).

Hart then went on a 15-play drive to the Burroughs 23 where the drive stalled and the Indians kicked a 40-yard field goal. Hart 24-0 with 4:34 left in the third.

Burroughs started the next series on the 12 and got pummelled (the Hart defense was really going after them after the Hart fumbled kickoff). It was 3 and out (net -2 on the drive for Burroughs). Hart got a nice return on the punt from Ciccone and started the next drive at the Burroughs 21. Hart scored on 4 plays, TD on a pass to Kase. It was 31-0 Hart with 1:10 in the third.

Burroughs again went 3 and out with net 9 yards.

Hart started the next series at the 50 and moved down to the 15 on 5 plays when Howard fumbled (Hart's third turnover of the game) and Burroughs took over on the 16.

Burroughs ran 3 plays (net 1 yard) and on 3rd down Kase had his second INT. At this point the second team offense entered the game. Dan Howell carried the ball 5 of 6 plays (the QB also had a short run and Hart (Howell) scored on a 31-yard drive. It was then 38-0 Hart with 5:17 left. (This is when I noticed Henry Criss on the sidelines with the doc really checking him out.)

The Hart second and third stringers came in. Burroughs left in most of their starting offensive crew. They scored on a 6-play, 81-yard drive, the biggie being a 52-yard run for the TD. 38-8 with 2:24 left.

Hart started the last series of the game at the Hart 35. Dan Howell had 3 big runs and Hart ended the game at the Burroughs 20.

Norton finished the game at 15 for 26, 159 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT. He actually had a very good game but because Hart had such good field position most of the night, his yardage numbers were somewhat low. Hart had 3 turnovers (including that INT). The Indians have not had more than one turnover in a game all year. Right now it seems to me the biggest thing the Indians have to develop is better run blocking, particularly the surge off the line in short yardage situations. Dan Howell was really quite impressive as a runner tonight. Hart had 122 net yards rushing, most of which was by Howell. Add that up -- Hart had well under 300 yards total offense but racked up 38 points.

Lets hope those injuries are not too serious.

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