BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The Emory & Henry College Football Team is off to a 2-0 start for the first time since the 2020 season, as it defeated Bluefield State University (1-1) by a 37-14 margin Saturday afternoon. The contest was delayed on two separate occasions due to lightning in the vicinity of Mitchell Stadium.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 37, Bluefield State 14
LOCATION – Bluefield, West Virginia
VENUE – Mitchell Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-0, 0-0 SAC); Bluefield (1-1, 0-0 CIAA)
How It Happened
The Wasps jumped out to a 14-0 lead early in the first quarter. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Cam Abshire (Roanoke, Va.) had a 71-yard catch-and-run from sophomore quarterback Charles Mutter, III (King George, Va.) to put E&H on the board. After forcing a turnover on downs by the Big Blues, Emory & Henry went down the field 57 yards in nine plays capped off by a one-yard plunge by Mutter.
Late in the first, E&H pushed the margin to 17-0 thanks to a 36-yard field goal by sophomore Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.). Butcher hit his second of the day on the next drive, this time a 39-yarder for a 20-0 advantage.
Bluefield State scored in quick succession midway through the second as Jai'que Hart found Perry Wilder, III for a 17-yard touchdown pass while Hart linked up with Khyon Smith for a 35-yard score which trimmed the margin to 20-14.
E&H responded on its next drive to make it a 23-14 game at halftime as Butcher converted a 20-yard kick, tying the school record for field goals in a game in the process.
The second half saw the Wasps' special teams and defense come alive. Midway through the third, redshirt freshman linebacker Kade Sullivan (Fredericksburg, Va.) blocked a punt and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown, pushing Emory & Henry's lead to 16 (30-14).
E&H capped the scoring with a defensive touchdown with just 49 seconds remaining. Fifth-year defensive back T.J. Payne (Chattanooga, Tenn.) picked off a pass and took it to the house from 45 yards away to seal the 37-14 win.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter was just 4-for-14 passing for 87 yards and one touchdown as the wet conditions hampered the Wasps' air attack. Junior quarterback Kyle Short (Lebanon, Ohio) entered the game late, completing a pair of passes for 24 yards. Abshire was the leading receiver with three catches for 82 yards.
Senior running back J'Quan Anderson (Charlottesville, Va.) had an even 100 yards on the ground while Mutter added 49 yards with his feet.
Junior linebacker Kaleb Lundy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) had a game-high 11 tackles and broke up a pass while junior defensive back Shawn Collins (Salem, Va.) posted six stops, an interception and an additional two passes defended. Payne completed the day with a trio of interceptions and two tackles.
Bluefield State Individual Leaders
Hart threw for 226 yards on 19-for-47 through the air and two touchdowns, but four interceptions proved to be too much to overcome. Seven different receivers caught passes led by Wilder with six receptions for 70 yards and Smith with four catches for 51 yards.
Jahdir Loftland was the leading rusher with 10 carries for 23 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, T.J. Gunter made eight stops and broke up three passes while Jaylyn Norris also added eight tackles including one sack. Brett Brantley contributed seven tackles.
A Deeper Look
BSU outgained E&H by a 293-277 margin but were hampered by a minus-three turnover margin. The Wasps were held without a first down for much of the third quarter, but the story was special teams and defense following the break.
Both squads struggled on third down as each was 4-for-17 (24%). Penalties were also a factor with the Wasps and Big Blues combining to commit 13 fouls for 130 yards.
Up Next
Emory & Henry closes its three-game road trip to open the year next Saturday, visiting Newberry College at 7:00 p.m. The contest will be the South Atlantic Conference opener for both squads.
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