ANDERSON, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (6-1, 4-1 SAC) broke open a 10-0 contest at halftime, scoring 24 points after the break for a 34-3 win over Anderson University (3-4, 1-4 SAC) Saturday afternoon.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 34, Anderson 3
LOCATION – Anderson, South Carolina
VENUE – Melvin & Dollie Younts Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (6-1, 4-1 SAC); Anderson (3-4, 1-4 SAC)
How It Happened
After both teams punted twice to start the game, Emory & Henry junior defensive back Shawn Collins (Salem, Va.) picked off a pass to set the Wasps' offense up. E&H used a nine-play, 43-yard drive to get on the board with a 32-yard field goal by junior Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.).
After forcing a three-and-out on Anderson's next possession, Emory & Henry went back on the attack. Junior quarterback Charles Mutter, III (King George, Va.) found redshirt freshman wideout Tristan Stitt (Indian Trail, N.C.) with a 26-yard touchdown pass for a 10-0 lead which would hold through the end of the first half.
Returning to action, the Wasps pushed their lead to 13-0 midway through the third quarter on a 27-yard field goal by Butcher.
Anderson got on the board with a field goal of their own at the 4:04 mark of the third as Ross Burnette converted from 37 yards after an 11-play drive stalled.
E&H answered quickly, going 86 yards in five plays with Mutter hitting sophomore wide receiver Cam Abshire (Roanoke, Va.) with a 30-yard touchdown to make the score 20-3. After another three-and-out, Wasp fifth-year defensive back Trevor Dowdell (Bluff City, Tenn.) blocked a punt which was recovered by Collins and returned 28 yards for a touchdown and a 27-3 advantage with one quarter to play.
Emory & Henry added another score with 6:04 remaining in the game as Mutter hit Abshire for an eight-yard touchdown and the 34-3 final margin.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter went 19-for-30 for 239 yards and three touchdowns, connecting with six different receivers on the afternoon. Abshire led the way with seven catches for 84 yard and two scores while Stitt had three receptions for 55 yards and a touchdown. Jackson rushed 17 times for 55 yards while Mutter added 43 yards on the ground.
Junior defensive lineman Elijah Harper (Anderson, S.C.) led the way with eight tackles, three tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry while fifth-year defensive back Addison Knicely (Mount Crawford, Va.) posted seven stops, an interception and a pass defended. Junior defensive back Jacob Robinson (Warrenton, Va.) finished with six stops, two tackles for loss and an interception which he returned 21 yards while junior defensive lineman Chad Pouncy (Lynchburg, Va.) had four quarterback sacks for a loss of 28 yards.
Anderson Individual Leaders
Tyler Wesley went 7-for-24 through the air for just 84 yards, throwing three interceptions. Only three Trojans caught passes on the afternoon with Jalon Warthen-Carr pulling in five receptions for 68 yards. J.B. Seay led the rushing attack with 28 yards on three carries while Bryson James gained 26 yards on the ground.
Darrion Perry and Kendal Chapman paced the AU defense with seven tackles apiece as Carter Wit and Jerrod Woods added six and five stops, respectively. Chase Sturgeon added an interception.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry outgained Anderson, 359-179, piling up 252 yards of offense through the air. The Wasps led the Trojans, 22-11, on first downs despite converting on just 4-for-11 (36%) of their third downs.
The Wasps once again won the turnover margin, picking off three passes while throwing just one. E&H had its first fumble of the season, but was able to recover it and sustain the drive.
E&H posted the slimmest of margins on time of possession, with a 30:06-29:54 advantage. Both teams were disciplined, combining for just seven penalties for 60 yards.
Up Next
Emory & Henry returns home to take on No. 18 Carson-Newman University in a battle for the top of the South Atlantic Conference Mountain Division next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
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