GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Limestone University Football Team (3-1, 2-0 SAC) used a 24-3 scoring run through the second and third quarters on its way to a 37-24 win over visiting Emory & Henry University (3-1, 1-1 SAC) Sunday in South Atlantic Conference play.
The contest was postponed from Saturday afternoon to Sunday due to Hurricane Helene and its effects on Southern Appalachia.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Limestone 37, Emory & Henry 24
LOCATION – Gaffney, South Carolina
VENUE – Saints Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (3-1, 1-1 SAC); Limestone (3-1, 2-0 SAC)
How It Happened
On their second possession of the game, Limestone went down the field 54 yards in three plays for a 7-0 lead. Dustin Noller hit Jack Stultz in the end zone with a 40-yard touchdown pass.
The Wasps responded by returning the kickoff to the 10 yardline as junior defensive back Jarrell Harrison (Virginia Beach, Va.) had an 89-yard return. Two plays later, junior quarterback Charles Mutter, III (King George, Va.) found sophomore wideout Cam Abshire (Roanoke, Va.) with a nine-yard touchdown to tie the game, 7-7.
Late in the quarter, Noller connected with Kevin Lalin for a 77-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown and a 13-7 advantage. Emory & Henry answered by scoring on the first play of the second quarter as Mutter linked up with Abshire again, this time for a 65-yard touchdown and a 14-13 lead.
Limestone went ahead on the next drive with Noller finding Jalen Jones with an 18-yard touchdown to cap a four-play, 81-yard possession for a 20-14 advantage E&H closed the gap to three at 20-17 as junior kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.) converted from 36 yards out with 5:16 to go before the intermission. Noller got his fourth touchdown pass of the half with less than two minutes to play in the opening half as Tre Williams caught a 28-yard score for a 27-17 halftime margin.
In the third, Daniel Deneen, Jr. notched a 47-yard field goal for Limestone to push the lead to 30-17. With just 11 seconds left in the quarter, Mutter was intercepted by Jeremiah Lomax who returned it for 45 yards for a score and a 37-17 lead.
Emory & Henry got one score back in the fourth when sophomore quarterback Cole Lambert (Abingdon, Va.) found junior wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) for a 22-yard touchdown and the 37-24 final margin.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter was 11-for-26 through the air for 167 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions while Lambert went 4-for-9 for 86 yards, a touchdown and a pick.
Abshire caught four passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns while Peoples had five receptions for 91 yards and a score. Sophomore wide receiver Jakari Mozelle (Hampton, Va.) added two catches for 42 yards.
Junior running back Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.) rushed 23 times for 115 yards to lead the Wasps' ground game, his third-straight contest with at least 100 yards.
Junior defensive lineman Elijah Harper (Anderson, S.C.) had a team-high 11 tackles including two for a loss while sophomore defensive lineman Ean Rhea (Glade Spring, Va.) had eight stops. Harrison finished with five tackles and a pass defended while senior linebacker Kaleb Lundy (Winston-Salem, N.C.) added five stops of his own.
Limestone Individual Leaders
Noller was 15-for-29 passing for 348 yards and four touchdowns. He hit six different receivers on the afternoon with Williams catching six passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Lalin finished with one touchdown catch for 77 yards as Jack Stultz had two catches for 50 yards and a score. Lalin led the ground game with 21 carries for 43 yards.
Luke Janack had a team-high 10 tackles and a sack for six yards while Ty Cade and Alonzo Brown posted eight stops each. Lomax, Josh Shodipo and Kam Williams each made interceptions.
A Deeper Look
Limestone outgained Emory & Henry by a 413 to 400 margin on total offense. The Saints gained 348 yards through the air and 65 on the ground while the Wasps had 253 yards passing and 147 rushing.
E&H gained 20 first downs while Limestone had 17. The Wasps were also 7-for-17 (41%) on third down as the Saints were just 33 percent (4-for-12).
For the first time all season, Emory & Henry lost the turnover battle, throwing three interceptions while managing just one takeaway.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns home on Saturday for its annual Homecoming game. The Wasps will host defending SAC Champion and 2023 national semifinalist Lenoir-Rhyne University at 1:00 p.m.
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