EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team (2-2, 1-0 ODAC) scored the game-winning touchdown with just 11 seconds remaining to earn a come-from-behind win over Washington and Lee University (2-2, 0-1 ODAC) Saturday afternoon in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference opener for both squads.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 45, Washington and Lee 42
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia – Nicewonder Field at Fred Selfe Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-2, 1-0 ODAC); Washington and Lee (2-2, 0-1 ODAC)
How It Happened
- Emory & Henry jumped out to a 7-0 lead at the 13:38 mark of the first quarter when junior defensive back Justin Banks (Coeburn, Va.) stripped the W&L quarterback and returned the ball 27 yards for the score.
- The Generals tied the game on a 76-yard run by Matt Sgro less than a minute later.
- The Wasps went back up 10-7 on a 49-yard field goal by sophomore Matt Seals (Rogersville, Tenn.) with 9:56 in the opening period, but Washington and Lee took its first lead of the contest, 14-10, after a 35-yard rush by Josh Malm.
- Back-to-back scores by E&H made it 24-14 early in the second period. Sophomore wideout Derrick Yates (Abingdon, Va.) caught a four-yard pass from senior Kevin Saxton (Monroe, N.C.) and freshman Brady Justice (Hurley, Va.) went over the top from one yard out for the other score.
- W&L closed the gap to 24-21 at the half on a 15-yard reception from Sgro to Mitch Lowery.
- Coming out of the intermission, Emory & Henry scored twice in the third quarter, a two-yard plunge by freshman quarterback Hunter Taylor (Summerville, S.C.) and a 23-yard run by Justice. Josh Breese scored for the provided the firepower for Washington and Lee on a 54-yard run around the end.
- E&H held a 38-28 lead after three and saw its lead turned into a 42-38 deficit after a pair of scores by Sgro and Breece. Breece's touchdown came with 6:43 to go.
- The Wasps did some of their best clock management of the season on the game-winning drive, chewing 6:27 off the clock on a 12-play, 79-yard drive that culminated with Justice's third touchdown of the game, a one-yard push over the left side.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Justice scored three times on 18 carries, averaging 7.5 yards per rush for a total of 135 yards while senior Isaiah Rodgers (Canton, Ga.) had 38 yards on the ground.
- Saxton finished the game 22-for-31 for 220 yards and a score, connecting with four different receivers.
- Yates caught eight passes for 85 yards and a touchdown while junior Jesse Santiago (Yorktown, Va.) added seven receptions for 70 yards.
- Defensively, Banks led the way with a game-high 14 tackles, a forced fumble and the resulting 27-yard touchdown return. Junior defensive back Jaylyn Johnson (Roanoke, Va.) made 12 stops while senior linebacker Zack Manley (Tobaccoville, N.C.) added 11 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Washington and Lee Individual Leaders
- Breece ran for 195 yards and two scores while Sgro had 156 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
- Sgro also threw for 95 yards and a touchdown on 8-for-14 passing, hitting Lowery twice for 44 yards and a score.
- Max Garrett produced a team-best 12 tackles from his linebacker position while Matt Dodson and Michael Shields had 10 and eight stops, respectively.
A Deeper Look
- Washington and Lee put up 444 yards on the ground but were plagued by a pair of costly fumble while Emory & Henry was balanced in its offensive attack with 233 rushing yards and 220 passing yards.
- The Wasps made it three straight games scoring over 40 points, scored all four times they reached the red zone and were an efficient 9-of-14 on third down.
- W&L held a 33:00-27:00 lead on time of possession, but E&H milked the clock in the second half, holding the ball for more than 16 and a half minutes.
- Seals' 49-yard field goal in the first quarter was the second-longest in program history, behind a 57-yard boot by Tom Wilson against Mars Hill College in 1971.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry will travel to face Shenandoah University next Saturday in ODAC action.
- Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Shentel Stadium.
---E&H---