SEWANEE, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team (3-0) rallied from a 20-0 second quarter deficit to defeat The University of the South (1-3) by a 44-27 score Saturday afternoon at Harris Stadium. The Wasps complete the non-conference portion of their season with an undefeated record for the third straight season.
Sewanee, which recovered an onside kick at the start of the game, scored touchdowns on its first three possessions to take a 20-0 lead at the 14:55 mark of the second quarter. Cody Daniel had a pair of one-yard touchdown runs while Andy Moots found paydirt with a 12-yard rush for the Tigers' other score.
Emory & Henry got on the board with just six seconds remaining in the opening half. Freshman quarterback Kevin Saxton (Monroe, N.C.) found freshman Elijah Burnette (Alpharetta, Ga.) with a two-yard pass for the touchdown, capping off a 12-play, 91-yard strike that used only 77 seconds.
The Wasps started their second possession of the second half deep in Tiger territory thanks to a fumble recovery on the 36 yardline. E&H closed the gap to 14-20 with a five-play 36-yard drive capped off by a four-yard touchdown run by freshman Chris Thompson (Blue Ridge, Va.) at the 6:04 mark of the third quarter. Emory & Henry went ahead 21-20 early in the fourth quarter on a one-yard plunge by freshman running back Isaiah Rodgers (Canton, Ga.).
Sewanee responded immediately to retake the lead. On the first play from scrimmage, Daniel ran for an 87-yard touchdown and a 27-21 advantage with 11:40 to go in the contest.
On their next possession, the Wasps went 53 yards in six plays to tie the contest at 27 points apiece. Thompson got his second score of the afternoon, this one a three-yard rush. The Lord Botetourt High School product had 27 of E&H's 53 yards on the drive.
The Emory & Henry defense blocked a punt on Sewanee's next possession, setting up yet another short field. Saxton found junior tight end Ashton Cline (Gilbert, W.Va.) on first down for 18 yards. Rodgers set up first and goal with a run inside the 10 yardline and Saxton hit senior wide receiver Lucas Kirby (Covington, Va.) for an eight-yard touchdown and a 34-27 lead.
The Wasps made it a 10-point, 37-47 lead on their next possession when senior placekicker Austin Breed (Atlanta, Ga.) hit a 35-yard field goal with 2:34 remaining in the contest. Emory & Henry junior cornerback Ryan Byrd (Grottoes, Va.) intercepted a pass on the Sewanee's next possession and two plays later Thompson made it a three-touchdown day with a six yard run and the final 44-27 margin.
Rodgers rushed for 150 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries for the Wasps while Thompson got his three scores on 13 attempts for 58 yards. It is the first time since Caleb Jennings rushed for 213 yards on 28 carries that an Emory & Henry back has scored three touchdowns on the ground. Saxton was 21-for-35 on the day for 203 yards and two touchdowns finding Kirby a total of six times for 91 yards and a score.
Sewanee quarterback Cody Daniel rushed for 232 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 62 yards on five-for-14 passing. Moots had the Tigers' other score, running for 54 yards in the game. Spencer Powers caught two passes for 25 yards.
E&H senior safety Roth Healey (Easton, Pa.) led all players with 11 tackles, forced a fumble and picked off a pass. Junior linebacker Mitch Carter (Kingsport, Tenn.) made eight stops while Byrd had an interception. Junior defensive tackle Chris Kernisky (Spotsylvania, Va.) and freshman linebacker Zack Manley (Tobaccoville, N.C.) each blocked punts in the game.
Sewanee's John Paul McDonnell made 11 tackles and broke up two passes to lead the Tigers while Grant Fuller had seven tackles, including one for a loss.
Emory & Henry used a balanced attack rushing for 210 yards and throwing for 239 for a total of 449 yards. Sewanee's triple option attack went for 354 yards as they accumulated 416 total yards on the afternoon. The Wasps had 25 first downs and were lightning fast with the ball, with only 20:42 of possession in the game.
E&H will make its 2014 home debut on Saturday, October 4 when it hosts Randolph-Macon College in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference opener for both squads. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. , at Fred Selfe Stadium.
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-photo courtesy of Randy Fannon