BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team (5-0, 2-0 ODAC) is the last undefeated squad in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference as it defeated Bridgewater College (4-1, 1-1 ODAC) Saturday afternoon at the Jopson Athletic Complex. The Wasps boast a 5-0 mark to start the season for the first time since 1998 when they went undefeated. With the win, Head Coach Curt Newsome becomes the first coach since W.S. "Pedie" Jackson went 9-0 in 1927 to win his first five games as E&H mentor.
After Bridgewater missed a field goal on the opening drive of the game, E&H took control and went down the field 74 yards in seven plays for the contest's first touchdown. Freshman quarterback Kevin Saxton (Monroe, N.C.) was five-for-five on the drive for 58 yards while freshman running back Chris Thompson (Blue Ridge, Va.) ran it in from six yards out.
The Eagles responded on their next possession, striking 77 yards in four plays to tie things up at seven points apiece. Jacob Wright hit paydirt with his 23-yard touchdown run with 8:53 to go in the quarter.
The two squads traded possessions for the remainder of the opening period and half of the second quarter. Emory & Henry made it 14-7 with 7:13 to go in the half on a seven-yard completion from Saxton to senior wideout Josh Smith (Radford, Va.). The Wasps pushed the halftime margin to 21-7 with a touchdown reception to junior tight end Ashton Cline (Gilbert, W.Va.). A 23-yard catch by junior wide receiver Jacob Hess (Abingdon, Va.) set up first and goal for the Wasps' score two plays later.
In the third quarter, E&H pushed its lead to 28-7 thanks to a three-yard plunge by freshman running back Isaiah Rodgers (Canton, Ga.). Rogers ran the ball for 41 yards on the drive, which went 76 yards in 12 plays, draining 4:32 off the clock.
The Wasps added another touchdown with 5:07 to go in the game. After the defense held on fourth down, E&H got the ball back on the BC 37 yardline. Saxton found senior wide receiver Lucas Kirby (Covington, Va.) from seven yards out for the score and the 34-7 lead.
On the ensuing possession, Bridgewater went down the field, thanks to the arm of Ross Rushing, who completed six passes including a five-yarder to Logan Sullivan for the touchdown. The Eagles went for and recovered a mid-distance onside kick and it was Rushing again who put the offense on his shoulders. After three pass completions gave BC first and goal from the three yardline, Rushing went in to close the gap to 34-21 with 45 seconds to go.
The second onside kick attempt was unsuccessful, and Emory & Henry was able to run a final play and seal the victory. It was the first win for the Wasps against Bridgewater since the 2008 season and the first time since 2001 that E&H has opened ODAC play with two wins.
Saxton finished the game with 266 yards and three touchdowns on 25-for-43 passing. He found Smith 11 different times for 79 yards and a score on the day while Kirby caught six balls for 71 yards and a score. Both Thompson and Rodgers ran for 81 yards and a score as well.
Defensively for the Wasps, senior safety Roth Healey (Easton, Pa.) made nine tackles and picked off a pass while junior corner Ryan Byrd (Grottoes, Va.) made seven stops. Sophomore corner Tre'von Lightfoot (Big Island, Va.) posted six tackles and picked off a pair of passes.
E&H had a total of 467 yards of offense on the afternoon and picked up 28 first downs. The Wasps ran for 266 yards and averaged six yards per play on the afternoon.
Rushing had 165 yards through the air and threw for and ran for a touchdown after replacing Matt Pisarcik midway through the game. Wright ran for 88 yards and a score while Jeffrey Moore caught nine passes for 118 yards. As a team, the Eagles held the ball for 32:16, picking up 23 first downs and a total of 389 yards. Bridgewater's defensive unit was led by Darrick Gore had 13 tackles and broke up a trio of passes while Lucas Elliot made nine stops, picked off a pass and had a tackle for loss.
Emory & Henry will remain on the road next week when it travels to face off against Hampden-Sydney College. Kickoff between the Wasps and Tigers is set for 1:00 p.m.
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-photo courtesy of Dave Grace