GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team (5-5, 4-4 SAC) snapped a three game losing streak in convincing fashion on Saturday afternoon, defeating Erskine College (2-8, 0-8 SAC) by a 32-0 score. It was the first shutout for the Wasps since defeating Ferrum College by a 17-0 score on February 26, 2021.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 32, Erskine 0
LOCATION – Greenwood, South Carolina
VENUE – J.W. Babb Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-5, 4-4 SAC); Erskine (2-8, 0-8 SAC)
How It Happened
E&H returned the opening kickoff 60 yards to the Erskine 40 yardline. After the drive stalled at the Flying Fleet's 22, freshman kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.) drilled a 39-yard field goal for the game's first points.
Late in the quarter, the Wasps took over near midfield and went 59 yards in five plays capped by a 19-yard touchdown run by redshirt freshman quarterback Charles Mutter (King George, Va.) to make it a 10-0 contest.
Emory & Henry pushed the advantage to 17-0 with 3:44 to go before the intermission as Mutter linked up with freshman wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) over the middle for a 60-yard catch and run for a score. The Wasps made it a 20-0 contest at the half with Butcher hitting his second field goal of the day, this time a 27-yarder, as the clock expired.
On their first possession of the second half, the Wasps struck down the field 53 yards in four plays. Freshman running back Justin Hill (Dallas, N.C.) got 47 of the yards by himself and capped the drive with a two-yard plunge for a 27-0 advantage.
E&H extended its lead to 29-0 with 7:22 to go in the third on a safety when the ball was snapped over the punter's head and through the back of the end zone. The Wasps capped the scoring at 32-0 as Butcher hit a 44-yard field goal with 4:27 on the third quarter clock. The teams traded possessions through the fourth as Emory & Henry's defense completed the shutout performance holding Erskine to a combined 2-for-21 (9.5%) on third and fourth downs combined.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter was 9-for-22 passing for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception and added 23 yards on the ground with another touchdown. Hill was the Wasps' leading rusher with 100 yards on nine carries and a touchdown while senior running back Grayson Overstreet (Moneta, Va.) had 54 yards and senior Mykah English (Roanoke, Va.) tacked on 30 yards.
Peoples had three catches for 80 yards including his 60-yard touchdown while fifth-year wideout Kashawn Cosey (Chattanooga, Tenn) caught three passes for 39 yards.
Butcher tied his career-high with three field goals made and his career-long at 44 yards. He has also now tied the E&H record for field goals in a season with 14.
Junior defensive back Addison Knicely (Mount Crawford, Va.) posted a team-high seven tackles and broke up a pass while fifth-year linebacker Ivan Phillips (Kingsport, Tenn.) went for six stops including two tackles for a loss. Senior defensive back T.J. Payne (Chattanooga, Tenn.) had six tackles of his own as senior defensive lineman Rasheed Ellis (Tappahannock, Va.) notched three tackles with a sack and an interception.
Erskine Individual Leaders
Bryce Jeffcoat and Korey Besse combined to go 12-for-32 through the air for 119 yards as Jeffcoat had 92 yards and an interception.
Joshua Thomas led the Fleet's rushers with 27 yards while Kevon Catoe notched 25 yards on the ground. Trevarus Walker caught three passes for 47 yards with Catoe adding four receptions for 25 yards.
Caleb Gleason posted eight tackles with Jamari Smith making four stops and recovering a fumble. Zacoyeis Elmore picked off a pass and broke up an additional attempt.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry outgained Erskine by a 326 to 176 margin including a 206-57 mark on the ground. The Wasps averaged 5.6 yards per play including 5.7 yards per rush compared to just 2.9 yards per play for the Flying Fleet.
E&H was just 2-for-11 (18%) on third down but converted one of its two attempts on fourth down.
Both teams were well disciplined with the Wasps being flagged once for five yards and the Flying Fleet three times for 15 yards.
Erskine won the turnover battle, with two take aways compared to just one for Emory & Henry.
Up Next
Emory & Henry will close out the season next Saturday when it visits Limestone University. Kickoff between the Wasps and Saints is scheduled for noon.
---E&H---