Carnegie Mellon was outplayed from start to finish in losing its first game of the season, 37-0, at Wesley College in Dover, Del., yesterday in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The host Wolverines (12-0) had twice as much offensive yardage (501-248) as the Tartans (11-1).

Wesley took a 14-0 lead when Michael Clarke caught a 46-yard pass from Chris Warrick with 8:57 left before halftime.

On its next possession, CMU gambled and lost when it faked a punt with 2 yards to go from its 43. After CMU gave the ball up on downs, Wesley went on an eight-play, 44-yard scoring drive that was culminated by a Warrick 17-yard pass to Jon Lanouette to make the score, 21-0.

Wesley broke the game open early in the second half, scoring on a 63-yard pass from Warrick to Clarke on its first possession of the second half.

CMU had just a few scoring opportunities. On their first possession, the Tartans had a 30-yard field goal blocked. CMU also drove 77 yards to the Wolverines' 9 late in the game, but a pass by Kevin Mulkern was intercepted.

Travis Sivek, the Tartans' career rushing leader, was held to 46 yards on 15 carries.

W&J falls short

Underdog Washington & Jefferson (10-2) almost came back from a two-touchdown deficit before losing, 30-27, at Mary Hardin-Baylor (10-2) in Belton, Texas in the second round of the Division III playoffs.

This is the fourth time since 1999 the Presidents have been eliminated by a team from Texas. The three previous NCAA losses to Texas foes were by a cumulative 158-29.

The host Crusaders rolled up 382 yards rushing and led, 20-7, at halftime. W&J only had one first down in the first half. Its only score before the half came on a return of 58 yards by Cory Walsh after picking off an option pitch.

The Presidents pulled to within 27-20 in the fourth quarter when Walsh returned a fumble recovery 59 yards for a touchdown. But Mary Hardin-Baylor drove 73 yard on its next possession, which culminated in a 25-yard field goal by Zach Newcomb.

W&J got a consolation touchdown on a 1-yard run by Ryan Mendel with five seconds left.

"[Mary Hardin-Baylor] could win a national championship with that defense," Presidents coach Mike Sirianni said. "I am very impressed with the speed of their front seven on defense, but I am really proud of the way our kids fought back from an early hole."

Bobby Swallow led the Presidents' offense by completing 20 of 33 passes for 230 yards, including a 4-yard scoring pass to Peter Briggs in the third quarter.