No. 12/6 Elon 27, No. 25/21 The Citadel 23
Final Stats
Charleston, S.C. ? No. 21 The Citadel suffered a tough loss to No. 6 Elon on Parents Day as they fell by a close 27-23 margin before a crowd of 12,585 at Sansom Field at Johnson Hagood Stadium. The Citadel falls to 3-3 on the season and 1-2 in Southern Conference action.
Both teams put points on the board quickly in the first quarter. On the opening possession, the Bulldogs drove the ball 11 plays for 57 yards in 5:58, ending with a 29-yard Sam Keeler field goal at 9:32 on the clock. Elon answered immediately on the next drive when, on the first play, Terrell Hudgins caught a 70-yard touchdown pass from Scott Riddle, making the score 7-3.
The Citadel looked to take the lead when Taylor Cornett caught a 67-yard touchdown pass at 13:22 in the second quarter only to have it come back because of a holding penalty against the Bulldogs. The next play The Citadel was 1st-and-20 at their own 23-yard line and was unable to produce a score on the drive. However, Mark Kaspar kicked a 60-yard punt which Phoenix Karlos Sullivan fumbled on the return. Demetrius Jackson recovered the ball at the Elon 5-yard line, setting up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Bart Blanchard to Andre Roberts at 10:40 in the second quarter. The Citadel took a 10-7 lead.
Later in the second quarter, redshirt freshman receiver Travis Ruff blocked an Elon punt, the first of his career, to set up another Bulldog touchdown. Cornett earned another change to score when connecting on a 4-yard pass from Blanchard to put The Citadel up, 16-7. In less than a minute before the half, Andrew Wilcox kicked two field goals to make the score 16-13 at halftime.
Coming out the half, Elon wasted no time putting points on the board and taking the lead for the first time since 7-3 in the first quarter. With 10:51 on the clock, A.J. Harris rushed the ball for 11 yards and a touchdown to put the Phoenix up, 20-16. Trading scores, the Bulldogs went back up when Roberts completed a 29-yard pass from Blanchard at 6:27 in the third, making the score 23-20. Elon came right back with a score when Bo Williamson caught a 10-yard pass from Riddle at 5:53 in the third, putting the Phoenix back up, 27-23.
With several close calls in the fourth quarter, both defenses put a stop to their opponents and the Bulldogs came up on the short end, 27-23 as the final.
Blanchard completed 21-of-35 passes with no interceptions and three touchdowns. Roberts recorded his third 100-yard receiving game of the season with eight catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns. Freshmen running backs Asheton Jordan and Terrell Dallas combined for 23 rushes and 96 yards. The Elon defense held the Bulldogs to 82 rushing yards. The Citadel totaled 239 passing yards for an offensive total yardage of 321.
Elon totaled 424 offensive yards. They were led by Brandon Newsome, who rushed for 134 yards on 14 carries and Hudgins with five catches for 130 yards. Riddle completed the game 18-of-32 with one interception and two touchdowns. Elon improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the SoCon, extending their winning streak to six consecutive games for the first time since 1986.
The Citadel will travel to Greenville, S.C. for a Southern Conference matchup against Furman on Saturday, Oct. 18. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. Elon visits Chattanooga next Saturday at 2 p.m.
No. 21/20 Furman 28, Western Carolina 21
Final Stats
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Mike Brown rushed for 122 yards and a pair of touchdowns to lead FCS 20th-ranked Furman to a 28-21 Southern Conference victory over Western Carolina Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium.
Brown, a sophomore tailback, scored on a pair of two-yard runs in the first half to help Furman (5-2, 2-1 SoCon) grab a 21-0 lead second quarter lead before Western Carolina (2-5, 0-3 SoCon) rallied to make it a tight game.
Behind the accurate arm of freshman quarterback Zack Jaynes, the Catamounts twice cut Furman’s lead to seven points in the second half, and Western Carolina drove from its own 26 to the Furman 18 on its final possession before a fourth down pass by Jaynes fell incomplete at the goal line with 24 seconds remaining.
Jaynes completed 33-of-48 passes for 302 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for another score for the Catamounts, who managed only 24 yards in the first quarter before finishing the contest with a 398-316 advantage in total offense.
The victory marked Furman’s 10th straight homecoming victory and 10th triumph in its last 11 clashes with Western Carolina.
“Today was a game of missed opportunities for both teams,” said Furman head coach Bobby Lamb. “We didn’t capitalize on some chances in the first half, somehow missed blocking a punt that went right through our hands, and didn’t hit some open receivers in the fourth quarter. That said, you have to give Western Carolina credit. They had a nice scheme against us and executed very well, especially in the second half. We’re glad to win the football game, but clearly we had some work to do.”
“I’d be a fool to sit here and say it’s O.K.,” Western Carolina head coach Dennis Wagner said. “We played good at times, but we had opportunities to win this game like we have in some other situations. But until our team learns to close the window, I’m not going to be satisfied.”
Using a 42-yard run by Brown to the Western Carolina 2, Furman needed just four plays to move 68 yards on its first possession to take a 7-0 lead.
After escaping a muffed punt return at its own 6-yard line with a missed 26-yard Western Carolina field goal, the Paladins put together a 17-play, 80-yard drive to go up 14-0 on a Brown’s second two-yard touchdown run of the contest.
A fumble recovery and 19-yard return by linebacker Hunter Twitty to the Western Carolina 12 set up the Paladins’ next score, which came one play later on a 12-yard connection by quarterback Jordan Sorrells to tight end Chris Truss with 9:10 to go in the first half.
Western Carolina got on the board on its next possession with a 13-yard scoring strike from Jaynes to Andreius Thomas, capping an 11-play, 80-yard march to make it 21-7.
Both teams misfired on scoring chances before intermission. A blocked punt by Ryan Steed gave the Paladins’ the ball at the Western Carolina 21, but Matthew Cesari’s 38-yard field goal attempt missed.
From that point the Catamounts drove to the Furman 26 before the Paladins’ Max Lerner intercepted a Jaynes pass to half the threat.
Western Carolina opened the second half with a nine-play, 75-yard drive that culminated on a 12-yard scoring strike from Jaynes to Kyle Garland.
Furman responded with its only effective possession of the second half to extend its lead to 28-14 following a 4-yard touchdown run by fullback Brantley Kendall.
A Jaynes 4-yard touchdown run with 13:12 pulled the Catamounts to within seven points at 28-21.
Following a missed Furman field goal, Western Carolina appeared halted at its own 28, but the Paladins were penalized for roughing the kicker, giving the Catamounts a first down at the 43. From there WCU drove to the Furman 25 before a fumble pushed the Catamounts back to the 36. On third down Jaynes completed a screen pass to Andrew Rogers, who fumbled the ball into the hands of Paladin defensive end Gaines Burnett.
Furman went three and out on its next possession, and a punt gave the Catamounts the ball at their 26 with 5:24 left. Converting a pair of third down situations, including a 12-yard pass from Jaynes to Thomas to the Furman 18 with 1:11 to go, Western Carolina saw its drive stall following a sack by Shaun Van Rensburg at the WCU 26. An offensive pass interference call pushed the ball back to the Furman 41 but after an 18-yard completion to the Paladin 23, Jaynes’ final two pass attempts fell incomplete.
Furman remains at home next Saturday when it entertains arch-rival The Citadel in the 88th renewal of the Southern Conference’s oldest active football rivalry. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m. Western Carolina visits ninth-ranked Wofford next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
No. 9/9 Wofford 56, Chattanooga 7
Final Stats
SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? Wofford College defeated Chattanooga 56-7 on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. The score was tied at 7-7 in the second quarter, but the Terriers ran off the next 49 points to take the Homecoming victory.
The Terriers are 4-1 on the season (2-0 SoCon) and Chattanooga is 1-6 (0-3 SoCon). Wofford was led by Ben Widmyer with 158 yards rushing on eight carries with two touchdowns plus 110 yards passing with two touchdowns. Wofford had a total of seven players score a touchdown in the game. Chattanooga was led by Erroll Wynn with 90 yards rushing and Jare Gault with 105 passing yards and one touchdown.
“I was probably as fearful of this game as any I have coached since we have been in the Southern Conference,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “Anytime that people expect you to win, there is always that thing that floats around that it is going to be easy. We did our best this week to emphasize to these guys how critical this game would be and that they are a talented group that has played a tough schedule with Oklahoma and Florida State. You know they are dangerous and if you let them hang around, you are in for a fight. We have seen that in the past. For us it was critical that we come out and execute at a high level throughout the ballgame. We had to learn how to finish, and we did that tonight.”
The Terrier defense forced a three-and-out on the Mocs first possession of the game. On the second play from scrimmage for Wofford, Ben Widmyer went 75 yards on the quarterback keeper with 11:41 left in the first quarter. The teams then traded punts twice. Chattanooga then was able to put together a ten-play drive that covered 76 yards, capped by an eleven-yard touchdown pass from Jare Gault to Chris Pitchford. The game was tied at 7-7 with 10:40 left in the half.
On the next possession by Wofford, Ben Widmyer scored his second touchdown of the game with a 35-yard run with 8:30 in the second quarter to take a 14-7 lead. The Terrier defense forced another three-and-out, however the snap on the punt was fumbled and Wofford took over on downs. It took the Terriers just one play to score as Ben Widmyer found Fenn Allen open for a 28-yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead at 6:45 in the second.
Wofford’s defense came up with a sack on third down by Ryan Young to force another punt by the Mocs. The Terriers were able to add to the lead on their next drive. After a 32-yard completion from Widmyer to Eric Breitenstein, Breitenstein scored his first career touchdown on a five-yard run to take a 28-7 lead at the half.
To open the second half, Wofford needed only a minute to add another touchdown as Andy Strickland caught a 50-yard pass from Ben Widmyer for a 35-7 lead. Chattanooga turned the ball over on their first possession of the half as Mitch Clark sacked Jare Gault and forced a fumble that was recovered by Layton Baker at the 17-yard line. Four plays later, Dane Romero took the ball in for a five yard touchdown and a 42-7 lead.
After trading punts, the Terrier defense again forced a three-and-out. Back on offense, Wofford used only four plays, including a 50-yard run by Travis Boyd to score again. Arsenio Parks took the ball in on a 20-yard run to take a 49-7 lead with 1:20 left in the third quarter.
On the next drive by the Mocs, Mychael Johnson intercepted Sloan Allison and returned it to the 48-yard line. Robby Davis then scored on an eleven-yard run to cap the drive for a 56-7 score with 10:30 in the fourth quarter. After another Mocs’ punt, Wofford drove the ball inside the ten-yard line before taking a knee twice to end the game.
Wofford had a 564 to 191 advantage in total yards and 39:03 to 20:57 time of possession edge. The Terriers were 4-of-10 on third down and Chattanooga was 4-of-14. Chattanooga had a 34:03 to 25:57 time of possession advantage. The Wofford defense had five sacks, while the offensive line did not allow a sack.
The Terriers will be home again next week when they host Western Carolina at 1:30 pm at Gibbs Stadium. Chattanooga hosts league-leading Elon next Saturday at 2 p.m. in Finley Stadium.
No. 2/2 Appalachian State 35, Samford 24
Final Stats
BIRMINGHAM, Ala.?The Samford football team dropped a 35-24 decision to second-ranked and three-time defending national champion Appalachian State Saturday night at Seibert Stadium. The game was played in front of 10,670 fans, the third-largest crowd in the history of Seibert Stadium. The game was also Samford’s first-ever home Southern Conference game.
“I am proud of our guys,” Samford head coach Pat Sullivan said. “Appalachian State is a very good football team. Now, we just have to regroup and get ready for the next one. I appreciate our crowd and the support they showed.”
Samford’s Chris Evans rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 28 carries. Evans, the Southern Conference’s leading rusher, has now gone over 100 yards for three-straight games for the first time in his career. Evans also caught six passes for 48 yards in the game.
Samford freshman quarterback Dustin Taliaferro completed 18-of-30 passes for 166 yards. Taliaferro also had two rushing touchdowns in the game. Riley Hawkins caught seven passes for 59 yards to lead Samford’s receivers.
For Appalachian State, Armanti Edwards completed 22-of-29 passes for 307 yards and three touchdowns. Edwards also rushed for 63 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. CoCo Hillary caught six passes for 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Samford struck first when Taliaferro scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 8:44 to play in the first quarter. John Paul Fraites added the extra point to give Samford a 7-0 lead. The play capped a 13-play, 56-yard drive that took 5:36 off the clock.
Appalachian State answered on the next drive when Edwards hit Tavaris Washington for a 44-yard touchdown with 6:15 to play in the first quarter. Jason Vitaris added the PAT to tie the score at 7-7.
Samford came back to retake the lead with 12 seconds to go in the first quarter. Evans scored on a three-yard run and Fraites added the PAT to give Samford a 14-7 lead. ASU then fumbled the ensuing kickoff and the Samford’s Cody Crowell recovered at the ASU 24-yard line. Fraites attempted a 32-yard field goal, but ASU’s Cortez Gilbert blocked the attempt and the score remained 14-7.
The Mountaineers tied the game again when Robert Welton scored on an eight-yard touchdown run with 10:11 left in the second quarter. Vitaris added the PAT to make the score 14-14.
ASU took the lead for good with 4:55 to go in the second quarter when Edwards hit Hillary for a 50-yard touchdown, and Vitaris added the PAT to give the Mountaineers a 21-14 lead. Edwards then hit Hillary on an 11-yard touchdown with 28 seconds to go in the second quarter, and ASU took a 28-14 lead into halftime.
Samford’s Fraites kicked a 22-yard field goal with 5:30 to go in the third quarter to cut the ASU lead to 28-17. Edwards scored on a 25-yard run with 11:57 to go in the game to push the ASU lead to 35-17.
Samford cut the ASU lead to 35-24 when Taliaferro scored on a quarterback sneak with 2:02 to go for the game’s final score.
With the loss, Samford drops to 3-3 overall and 1-2 in Southern Conference play. Appalachian State improves to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in SoCon play with the win.
Samford will take next week off from competition before playing host to The Citadel on Oct. 25 for Samford’s 2008 Homecoming game. Appalachian State visits Georgia Southern next Saturday at 3 p.m. in a game that will be televised live on SportSouth.