BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team (1-2) left no doubt on Saturday evening as it clicked on offense, defense and special teams in defeating Bluefield College (0-4) by a 49-21 score at Mitchell Stadium.
It was the first official meeting between the Wasps and Rams, who have scrimmaged one another on several occasions since Bluefield reinstated its football program in the 2012 season.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 49, Bluefield 21
LOCATION – Bluefield, West Virginia
VENUE – Mitchell Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (1-2, 0-1 ODAC); Bluefield (0-4, 0-0 Mid-South)
How It Happened
- After forcing an interception on Bluefield's first possession of the game, Emory & Henry went down the field 67 yards in eight plays to take a 7-0 lead on a four-yard plunge by freshman running back T.J. Tester (Moneta, Va.). The Wasps doubled their margin later in the first quarter as junior quarterback Hunter Taylor (Summerville, S.C.) hit senior wide receiver Derrick Yates (Abingdon, Va.) with a 39-yard touchdown pass.
- In the second, the Rams answered with a pair of scores to tie the contest at 14-all. Aidan Wilder hit Lowe Patron with a three-yard pass to put Bluefield on the board and Wilder plunged in on the next drive from one yard out.
- E&H answered with two more scores in the final five minutes of the half to reclaim the 14 point lead, 28-14 at the intermission. Taylor linked up with Yates two more times, a 23-yard score with 4:20 on the clock, and a six-yard pass with 2:15 to go before the break.
- Both teams' offenses sputtered in the third with Wilder sneaking in from one yard out to close the BC deficit to 28-21 with 4:30 on the clock. Emory & Henry's defense put points on the board to push the margin back to three scores as senior defensive back Jayden Rosenboro (Bristol, Tenn.) picked off a pass and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown for a 35-21 lead.
- The Wasps added a pair of insurance scores in the fourth to complete the 28-point victory. Taylor used his legs for fourth touchdown of the day, running in from one yard out with 13:15 to play. Emory & Henry capped the scoring when senior defensive lineman Da'von Keith (Columbia, S.C.) came up with a sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and 35-yard return for a touchdown.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Taylor finished the day with 280 yards on 18-for-33 passing and three touchdowns. He also led the Wasps with 59 yards on the ground and a rushing score. Tester finished the game with 10 yards.
- Six different receivers caught passes led by Yates with five catches for 82 yards and three touchdowns and junior Gunner Griffith (Bluff City, Tenn.), who had nine receptions for 110 yards.
- Defensively, Keith posted four sacks on six total tackles as he scored a defensive touchdown, forced and recovered a fumbled and added a pair of quarterback hurries.
- Senior linebacker Staymon Johnson (Pilot Mountain, N.C.) had eight stops and one pass defended while sophomore defensive lineman Donovan Pinnix (Eden, N.C.) tacked on seven stops and 3.5 tackles for a loss.
- Senior defensive back Cecil Parham (Petersburg, Va.) and Rosenboro had interceptions while freshman linebacker Grayson Overstreet (Moneta, Va.) also recovered a fumble.
Bluefield Individual Leaders
- Wilder finished the night with 308 yards and one touchdown on 19-for-40 passing with two interceptions. He also scored both of Bluefield's rushing touchdowns despite finishing with a net of two yards on the ground. Tavis White led the Rams' rushing attack with 67 yards.
- Seven different receivers caught passes for BC led by Patron, who had five catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Greg Ebron had five receptions for 84yards while Jaquan Ebron caught four balls for 64 yards.
- On the defensive side of the ball, DaMarcu Wimbush led all players with nine tackles while Charles Turner notched eight stops. Tyrice Henry and Chris DeBerry each had interceptions on the day.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry will return home and to Old Dominion Athletic Conference play next Saturday when it hosts Hampden-Sydney College. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m.
- The College will also celebrate the induction of the newest class into the Sports Hall of Fame. The official induction will take place in the Kennedy-Reedy Theatre of the Woodrow W. McGlothlin Center for the Arts at 10:00 a.m., with an on-field recognition of this year's class at halftime of the game between the Wasps and Tigers.
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