Western Carolina 26, Wofford 14
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – On Saturday afternoon, the Wofford College football team was defeated 26-14 by Western Carolina at E.J. Whitmire Stadium. The Terriers allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, a safety, and fumbled inside the five-yard line as the Catamounts defeated Wofford for the first time since 2005.
The Terriers are 3-3 overall and 1-1 in the Southern Conference, while Western Carolina is 4-2 and 2-0 in league play. Wofford was led by Ray Smith with 63 rushing yards, while Evan Jacks had 59 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Catamounts were led by quarterback Troy Mitchell with 19-of-15 passing for 101 yards and a rushing touchdown.
The Catamount’s Detrez Newsome returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead. Wofford gained one first down before punting and Western Carolina took over at the 2-yard line. A three-and-out gave the Terriers the ball at the 45-yard line. Wofford picked up two first downs. On third down and long Evan Jacks ran 14-yards for the touchdown. The score was tied at 7-7 with 7:03 on the clock in the first quarter.
After a tackle for loss by Steven Cornellier, the Catamounts went three-and-out and punted. Wofford drove inside the 10-yard line and attempted a 24-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, but it was blocked. Both teams then went three-and-out and punted. Western Carolina gained three first downs, including one on a personal foul, before kicking a 33-yard field goal for a 10-7 lead with 7:20 left in the second quarter.
Wofford began their next drive at the Western Carolina 45-yard line after a 22 yard kickoff return by Lorenzo Long and a penalty on the Catamounts. After converting a fourth-and-one at the 22 yard line, the Terriers got to the one yard line before a fumble by Lorenzo Long turned the ball over with 54 seconds left in the half. Western Carolina ran two plays and went into halftime with a 10-7 lead.
To open the second half, the Terriers gained one first down and then failed to convert a fourth-and-one from the 36-yard line. The Catamounts used a 33-yard reception by Spearman Robinson to get the ball to the three, but on third down Brion Anderson intercepted a pass in the endzone. He was called for pass interference and the Catamounts retained possession at the two-yard line. On fourth-and-goal from the half-yard line, the Wofford defense stood tall and prevented a touchdown. The Terriers took over on downs at the one.
On the first play for Wofford, the Catamounts got a safety on a fumbled exchange in the endzone and led 12-7 at 8:04 in the third quarter. Both teams went three-and-out and traded punts. Western Carolina gained three first downs on the drive before Troy Mitchell scored from one-yard out to take a 19-7 lead with 14:28 left in the fourth quarter.
The Terriers used a first down by penalty and a run by Cam Flowers to get across midfield. Ray Smith added a first down run and Cam Flowers went in from ten-yards out for the touchdown. The Catamount lead was 19-14 with 11:58 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Western Carolina converted three straight third downs and had the ball at the 25-yard line with five minutes left in the game. On third-and-nine, a 24-yard touchdown run by Detrez Newsome made it a 26-14 game with 4:44 remaining.
Wofford started their next drive on the 38-yard line. After a first down, the Terriers had fourth-and-one from the Catamount 43-yard line and failed to convert. The Catamounts took over with 3:24 left on the clock. They gained two first downs and were able to run out the clock for the win.
Wofford had 273 total yards, with 270 on the ground. Western Carolina had 246 total yards, 145 of which were rushing. Wofford had a 16 to 13 advantage in first downs. Wofford was 5-of-12 on third downs and 1-of-3 on fourth down. Western Carolina was 8-of-14 on third down and 0-of-1 on fourth down. Wofford had three penalties to five for Western Carolina. Western Carolina had a 32:56 to 27:04 time of possession advantage.
The Citadel 63, Charlotte 56 (2OT)
CHARLESTON, S.C. - After two overtimes, 119 points and 1,368 combined yards, The Citadel football team walked off the field at Johnson Hagood Stadium on Saturday afternoon as winners by a score of 63-56 over Charlotte.
Brandon Eakins hauled in his second touchdown catch of the game from 17 yards out on the second play of the second overtime to give the Bulldogs a 63-56 advantage.
In Charlotte's second-overtime rebuttal, the 49ers moved the chains and ultimately found themselves with a first and goal from the three-yard line following a Tevin Floyd pass interference call.
The Bulldog defense hunkered down and was able to force three incompletions, including a Cody Richardson pass breakup on fourth down to seal The Citadel's second victory of the season and improve its record to 2-4.
The loss was Charlotte's fourth straight loss and dropped the 49ers to 3-4 on the year.
The 119 combined points were the most in school history, breaking last season's 117 scored at Old Dominion in a 59-58 loss. The 56 points scored by Charlotte is the most posted by a Citadel opponent in a loss in program history.
The Bulldogs also ran a school-record 100 plays for 689 total yards. Charlotte gained 679 yards of total offense, the second most ever against The Citadel. Florida put up 705 in 2008.
Six Bulldog ball carriers contributed to a rushing total of 553, the second most in Citadel history, and seven touchdowns. Four Bulldogs ran for over 90 yards and two passed the century mark.
Aaron Miller led the attack for the fifth-straight game, posting a career-high 197 yards on 22 carries and one touchdown. Miller also completed 13-of-22 passes for 136 yards and two scores.
Cam Jackson followed up Miller's impressive performance with a career game of his own. The redshirt freshman rushed for 116 yards on 12 carries and added two first-half touchdowns. Jackson also led the Bulldogs in receiving, hauling in four catches for a total of 49 yards.
In his first full game back from injury, Dalton Trevino added a spark to The Citadel backfield, rushing for 99 yards on just nine carries, including an early fourth quarter touchdown that put the Bulldogs up 42-31.
Tyler Renew was the workhorse in the backfield as the B-back carried the ball a game-high 25 times for 94 yards and two touchdowns.
Both of Renew's scores came at huge points in the game with the first coming with 2:15 left in the fourth quarter to put the Bulldogs up 49-42 and the second in overtime on a three-yard run to even the score at 56 and force a second extra period.
Jackson opened the scoring frenzy early with a 10-yard run just 1:13 into the game to give the Bulldogs an early lead. Charlotte immediately responded with an 11-play, 84-yard drive capped by a 15-yard run by Austin Duke.
Duke found openings in the secondary all day, catching 12 balls for 254 yards and three touchdowns to go along with his rushing score. Duke also added the game-tying two-point conversion pass to Dmarjai Devine late in the final quarter.
The 254 yards is the most allowed to an opposing receiver in Citadel history.
The Citadel added two more first quarter scores on a nine-yard run by Jackson and a seven-yard pass from Miller to Eakins, putting the Bulldogs ahead 21-7. The two touchdown catches by Eakins were the first ones of the junior wide receiver's career.
The Bulldogs and 49ers traded scores throughout the second quarter which saw 31 total points put on the board. An Isiaha Smith three-yard run and a four-yard plunge into the end zone from Miller left the Bulldogs ahead 35-17 in the second.
An 83-yard catch and run by Dukes closed out the first half with The Citadel leading 35-24.
A quiet third quarter, which saw just seven points from Charlotte, preceded a wild fourth which saw the scoreboard light up with the addition of 32 combined points.
Following Renew's tiebreaking rush with 2:15 left in regulation, Charlotte bounced back with a three-play 73-yard drive which was highlighted by a 71-yard touchdown reception by Duke to force overtime.
Duke now has six scoring plays of 60 or more yards in 2014.
The 49ers needed just one play in the first overtime to take the lead as Maetron Thomas took a handoff and ran left for 25 yards and a score.
The Bulldogs and 49ers both moved the chains 36 times, marking a new school record for both programs.
Rah Muhammad led the Bulldog defense with 11 tackles, including two for a loss of five yards. Mitchell Jeter added his fifth sack of the season and ninth of his career.
Mercer 49, Austin Peay 21
Macon, Ga. – The Mercer University football team raced out to an early 28-0 lead and never looked back, posting a 49-21 victory over Austin Peay on Saturday evening at Mercer University Stadium.
The Bears (5-2) scored twice in the first four minutes of the game, before adding another two touchdowns in the first quarter to blow the game open early despite only holding the ball for three minutes and 30 seconds in the period. It is the second-straight strong start at home for Mercer, who improves to 8-0 against non-conference opponents since reinstating the program last season.
Alex Lakes scored his 10th touchdown on a 12-yard run for an early 7-0 lead, as the Bears went 75 yards in just five plays on its first possession of the game. Following a stop by Mercer’s defense, freshman standout Chandler Curtis struck again, taking the punt back 61 yards for his FCS-leading fourth return touchdown of the season and a 14-0 lead for the Bears.
Mercer’s ensuing possession was just as quick, as John Russ hit Tee Mitchell on a quick pass that went 80 yards for the game’s third score. The Bears added another score with two minutes remaining in the opening quarter, as Avery Ward hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass from Russ for a 28-0 advantage.
Austin Peay broke up Mercer’s shutout bid in the second quarter, as Malik Boynton found the end zone on a seven-yard pass from Mickey Macius to trim the deficit to 28-6 after a missed extra point.
The Bears wasted no time coming up with a response though, marching 65 yards in just six plays to add to their lead. Russ tossed his third touchdown pass of the game, as JT Palmer stretched out to haul in a 12-yard strike for a 35-6 advantage.
Mercer outgained APSU 278-138 in the first half, using a balanced attack with 156 yards through the air and 122 yards rushing. The Bears finished the game with 451 yards of total offense, racking up 21 first downs in the contest.
Austin Peay scored on its first possession of the second half, as Jared Beard hauled in a tipped pass for a 32-yard touchdown to help the Governors pull within 35-13. Neither team was able to add to the scoreboard for the rest of the third quarter, as each defense clamped down in the period.
However, back-to-back big runs helped Mercer push the lead to 42-13 early in the fourth, as Lakes followed Russ’ 28-yard scamper with a bruising 17-yard run for his second touchdown of the game. The Bears added another score on its next drive, as Michael Haynes connected with Derek Owings for a five-yard touchdown to wrap up a 14-play, 70-yard drive.
Austin Peay got an 89-yard touchdown run from Otis Gerron in the final minutes, but it was too late as the Bears ran away with the victory.
Russ led the way for the Bears, completing 10-of-13 for 179 yards and three touchdowns through the air to go along with 42 yards on the ground. Lakes finished with 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Curtis and Mitchell combined for 217 all-purpose yards.
Devin Davidson posted a game-high eight tackles to lead the Bears’ defense, who was able to come up with stops on the first four possessions of the game to help key the rout. Alex Avant notched six tackles and an interception, while Kelly Brooks tallied a season-best two tackles for loss.
Navy 51, VMI 14
ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- Despite the Virginia Military Institute football team cutting the lead to 14-7 at the United States Naval Academy, the Midshipmen scored 23 unanswered points over 5:19 in the second quarter en route to a 51-14 win at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Navy (3-4) jumped out to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter before the Keydets capitalized on a Midshipmen miscue as Joe Nelson forced a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by Damian Jones for VMI touchdown, cutting Navy’s lead in half.
But the Midshipmen scored 23 points in the second quarter to take a 37-7 lead at halftime, followed by another touchdown in each of the third and fourth quarters. VMI (1-6) was held off the board until the waning moments of the game as Chad Jacob caught a one-yard pass from redshirt freshman Al Cobb for a 51-14 final.
Cobb finished the cold and windy day with 202 yards passing, completing 26 of his 40 pass attempts, including the touchdown pass. He hit 11 different receivers, including Dane Forlines five times for 51 yards. Aaron Sanders caught another four passes from Cobb for 38 yards. Forlines and Taylor Stout had the longest receiving plays for VMI, each grabbing a 19-yard pass.
VMI netted 60 yards on the ground, paced by Derrick Ziglar’s 32 on nine carries. Jabari Turner also ran nine times for 30 yards. In the second quarter, a snap sailed over Hayden Alford’s on a punt attempt, going out of the back of the end zone and resulting in a safety after a loss of 31 yards.
Navy kept its offensive attack on the ground, covering 350 yards along with five rushing touchdowns. Noah Copeland was the game’s top runner, going for 107 yards on eight carries and a touchdown. Early in the game, Copeland broke off a 64-yard for the game’s first score. Chris Swain ran for another 58 yards on 11 attempts. Navy got rushing touchdowns from quarterbacks Tago Smith and Will Worth, as well as Quinton Singleton and Geoffrey Whiteside.
Smith, who fumbled the ball recovered by VMI for a touchdown, completed three of his five passes, including one for a touchdown to Copeland for the final score of the first half. Worth attempted one pass but was picked off late in the game by VMI’s Chris Copeland.
Defensively, VMI was led by Nelson and Miller Williams, who had seven tackles each. Nelson’s forced fumble set up VMI’s first fumble recovery for a touchdown this season while also logging a tackle for a two-yard loss. Logan Staib finished with six tackles, including a pair that dropped the Mids for seven yards, and was credited with a pass break up. Allen Cratsenberg finished with six tackles with John Washington and Denton Ensminger had five each.
Navy scored twice in the first quarter, as Noah Copeland and Whiteside each scored rushing touchdowns. Copeland wasted no time, scoring on Navy’s first possession on a three-play, 72-yard drive that took just over a minute off the clock. Whiteside’s touchdown came with just eight seconds left in the first quarter.
But the Keydets, who played their second game at Navy in the last three seasons, cut the advantage in half on Jones’ fumble recovery with five minutes gone by in the second quarter. Navy took advantage of the punting miscue, followed by three more touchdowns in the second quarter for a 37-7 halftime lead.
VMI’s defense held up well after the break, holding Navy to a three-and-out on its first possession of the second half. The offense gave its opposites a break with a drive that ate six minutes of clock early in the third stanza, aiding in VMI’s time of possession advantage of nearly 35 minutes.
Navy scored just once in each quarter of the second half, with Smith scoring on a two-yard scamper, set up by a 32-yard pass to Whiteside, down to the VMI two-yard line. Worth ran in a one-yard touchdown with six minutes left in the third quarter.
The Keydets had the final touchdown of the day as Cobb engineered a drive that nearly ran out the clock, covering 65 yards on 10 plays. The redshirt freshman handed it off to Jacob for VMI’s second touchdown of the game.
Tennessee 45, Chattanooga 10
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. --- It was not a day for dreams to come true. The 12th-ranked Chattanooga Mocs ventured into SEC play losing 45-10 at Tennessee in Neyland Stadium. Even in the loss, the Mocs defensive line showed its mettle with a season-high five sacks.
The defense only allowed two sustained scoring drives. The Vols scored five of their six touchdowns on drives of 38, 20, 19, 16 and 14 yards. The first, third and fifth of those came on special teams, while the other two were off turnovers.
After the Mocs opening drive stalled at their own 30 yard line, Nick Pollard’s punt was returned 42 yards by Cameron Sutton to the visitors’ 38. It took the hosts eight plays, but Justin Worley found Marquez North on an 8-yard fade route to start the scoring.
The two teams swapped possessions for three straight drives when Tennessee mounted the first of its two long scoring drives. It marched 78 yards to the Mocs eight when Dee Virgin made a great play on another fade route to force the Vols into a 25-yard field goal.
It was a 17-0 score when Chattanooga found the scoreboard. Keionta Davis’ sack of Worley included an expert strip of the ball. Freeman recovered it to give the Mocs excellent field position at the Tennessee 27.
Jacob Huesman got his team to the 12 on an eight-yard run on third and four. The Vols defense got stingy from there as Chattanooga settled for a 27-yard Henrique Ribeiro field goal to close the margin to 17-3.
Worley engineered a key drive to end the half on the ensuing possession. He completed five of six passes for 62 yards as his 21-yard strike to Johnathon Johnson made it a 24-3 game at the break.
Tennessee’s special teams put the exclamation point to open the second half. Evan Berry took the opening kickoff 68 yards to the Chattanooga 19. Muhasabi Wakeel and Nakevion Leslie stuffed Derrell Scott for no gain on first down. Worley’s arm remained the difference as he found Johnson on the next play extending the lead to 31-3.
The Mocs offense had an impressive touchdown drive in the fourth quarter. Huesman found Alphonso Stewart with a 13-yard catch-and-run. Huesman then ran for 12 and eight yards coming out after getting hit at the Vols 40.
Richardre Bagley converted the third down with a 10-yard burst. Backup quarterback Alejandro Bennifield hit Faysal Shafaat for 11 yards before running for five more to the 14. Bagley sped through the middle of the line the final 14 yards for the lone touchdown of the day.
The Mocs' season-high five sacks were led by Freeman's pair, which ties his career best. Lott, Davis and Davis Tull also downed the quarterback as the defense recorded nine tackles for loss total. Freshman Trevor Wright tied for game-high honors with nine stops.
Offensively, Huesman led the way with 45 yards rushing. The Vols limited the Mocs to 105 yards rushing and 201 total yards with 161 of those coming in the second half.
Worley completed 19 of 24 passes for 198 yards and three scores in the air. He also had two with his feet accounting for five of his squad’s six tallies.