First year head coach Jason Nikson wanted to make sure his Foreman squad set the tone for the season in their opener against Walter Payton last Saturday.
Missions accomplished. The Hornets played hard-nosed football as they rushed for 269 yards en route to a 23-12 win at Jorndt Field.
"It was really good because we were just pounding the ball down the middle," Foreman QB Oscar Maldonado said. "Coach (Nikson) did a good job of calling plays and we just had to make it happen."
A lot of the reason Foreman was able to shove it down the Grizzlies' throat was because of the powerful legs of C.J. Young, who ran for 166 yards on 27 carries.
"You always have to run with attitude and stay low," Young said. "I used my shoulder pads. I didn't do a good job starting off but I finished hard."
Payton jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead after Tony Gerhart picked off a pass by Maldonado and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown with 1:50 to play in the first quarter. The two point conversion attempt was no good.
"That's not how I wanted to start the game," Maldonado said. "I didn't see the linebacker and I didn't lead the receiver. I came out a little shaky and I just had to hang in there."
The Hornets were able to bounce back and tie the game at 6-6 with 9:53 remaining in the second quarter after Young broke loose for a 10-yard score.
The Grizzlies answered right back on the next possession. A 34-yard run by LeRoy Gordon gave Payton first-and-goal at the two-yard line and Gordon (15 carries for 83 yards) finished it off himself with a QB sneak for a touchdown. The two-point try was no good and the Grizzlies held a 12-6 lead with 6:36 left in the first half.
Foreman's next score would be set up by a brilliant punt return by Zadairreis Parson in the waning seconds of the first half. Parson's 30-yard return gave the Hornets the ball at the Payton 15-yard line.
Two plays later, Maldonado (14 carries for 68 yards) snuck his way into the end zone from two-yards out to tie the game at 12-12 with 21 seconds remaining in the first half.
Foreman really took over in the second half as their smash-mouth style of offense began to wear down the Grizzlies.
Maldonado gave the Hornets the lead for good after he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 11:01 to play in the fourth quarter. Maldonado threw to Jamie Rios to convert the two-point try and give his team a 20-12 advantage.
Foreman shut the door on Payton in the fourth quarter as Israel Cervantes converted a 20-yard field goal with 4:44 left in the game.
But it was Young and the Hornets offense that effectively ended the game with long time-consuming drives.
"I wanted the ball and I wasn't getting tired," Young said. "It was a real good effort but we have to start a lot harder. We need to pound the ball from the beginning."
What made Young's 166 yards even more impressive was the fact that Foreman runs a shotgun offense.
"It's real different but the lineman are doing a really good job creating holes for me," Young said. "I just look for an open hole and run."
Payton gave Foreman a good game and Maldonado certainly picked up some valuable lessons from the hard-fought contest.
"I learned to be patient and do what I have to do," Maldonado said. "I just have to keep my poise and come out with confidence."
Up next for Foreman is Juarez, 11 a.m. Saturday at Rockne Stadium.
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