EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry Football Team (6-2, 5-2 SAC) overcame a 10-point, second-half deficit to tie things up late but eventually came up short against Wingate University (5-2, 3-2 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference play Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs scored a touchdown with just under two minutes remaining to earn the 27-20 victory.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Wingate 27, Emory & Henry 20
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Fred Selfe Stadium at Nicewonder Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (6-2, 5-2 SAC); Wingate (5-2, 3-2 SAC)
How It Happened
The Wasps took the opening kickoff and marched 47 yards on eight plays to reach field goal range. The drive stalled, but the 45-yard field goal attempt missed wide right to keep things scoreless. The Bulldogs moved the ball on the ensuing possession as they reached the E&H 20. Caleb Bonesteel converted a 37-yard field goal attempt to put Wingate on top 3-0.
Emory & Henry was forced to punt on their next turn with the ball and the defense stood tall to force a three-and-out. Wingate attempted to punt the ball away, but redshirt freshman D.J. Ferrell (Cocoa, Fla.) blocked his second punt of the season to put the Wasps in business at the Bulldog 19. E&H could not put the ball in the end zone and had to settle for a 22-yard field goal from senior kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.) to tie things up at 3-3.
The Bulldogs continued to move the ball with their next possession as they strung together an 11-play, 87-yard drive that culminated in a 17-yard touchdown rush by Wingate quarterback Elijah Holmes to put the visitors back ahead 10-3.
The Wasps had an immediate response as they went 75 yards on 13 plays over 6:11 of gametime. Junior quarterback Cole Lambert (Abingdon, Va.) found senior wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) for a nine-yard touchdown to level the score once more at 10-10.
The scoring continued on the following possession when the Bulldogs reached the E&H 10 and Bonesteel was good again, this time from 27 yards out to give Wingate a narrow 13-10 lead at the halftime break.
Neither team could score with their first possession of the second half, but the Bulldogs broke through again their second time with the pigskin. Wingate put together a 58-yard drive in just four plays, capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Holmes to Jaylen Himes to give the Bulldogs their largest advantage of the afternoon at 20-10.
Emory & Henry battled back as the Wasps matriculated the ball 72 yards down the field on eight plays and senior running back Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.) found paydirt from 23 yards away to bring E&H back within three points at 20-17.
The Wasp defense forced the Bulldogs into another three-and-out and the offense had success moving the ball on yet another occasion. E&H pushed deep into Wingate territory, reaching the three yard line, but could not punch the ball into the end zone and had to settle for a 20-yard kick by Butcher to tie the game for the third time.
The squads traded punts with the next two possessions, giving Wingate an opportunity to take the lead late in the contest. The Bulldogs ate up the clock as they drove 61 yards on 11 plays and running back Xavier Pugh plunged in from a yard out to give the visitors a 27-20 lead with just 1:50 remaining on the clock. The Wasps managed to reach Wingate territory, but the drive stalled and E&H turned the ball over on downs. The Bulldogs were able to kneel the ball and run the clock out to escape Emory with the 27-20 SAC victory.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Lambert was 17-for-34 through the air for 186 yards and a touchdown. Jackson rushed for 70 yards on 15 carries while junior running back Rudolph Paul (Douglasville, Ga.) added 23 yards on four attempts.
Peoples led the receiving corps with 73 yards on six catches and a score while sophomore wide receiver Tristan Stitt (Indian Trail, N.C..) added 40 yards on two receptions. Junior wide receiver Jakari Mozelle (Hampton, Va.) finished with three catches for 30 yards.
Defensively, senior linebackers A.J. Burgess (Roxboro, N.C.) and Kasey Branch (Waynesboro, Va.) finished with a joint team-high 14 tackles while fellow senior defensive back Tyreon Porter (Charlotte, N.C..) added nine stops. Senior defensive back Shawn Collins (Salem, Va.) recorded eight tackles and recovered a fumble for the Wasps. Junior defensive lineman Ean Rhea (Glade Spring, Va.) added to his SAC-leading sack total which now stands at 9.5 for the year.
Wingate Individual Leaders
Holmes threw for 279 yards on 17-for-28 passing with a score and rushed five times for six total yards and another touchdown.
Xavier Pugh recorded 63 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown for the Bulldogs.
Xavier Jackson led the Bulldogs with 91 yards receiving on three receptions. Himes added 80 yards and a score through the air on six catches. Laron Warner finished with 56 yards on five catches.
Ryan Green led the defensive effort for WU with eight tackles and .5 sacks. Ephraim Wright posted seven stops and a pass breakup while Jaquan Edwards had five tackles.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry finished with just 290 yards of total offense on 59 plays, including rushing for 104 yards on 23 attempts and passing for 186 net yards. The Bulldogs managed 409 yards on 71 plays from scrimmage.
The Wasps were 5-for-14 (36%) on third down, compared to 59% (10-for-17) for the Bulldogs.
WU held an advantage in time of possession as they held the ball for 35:35 of gameplay, compared to 24:25 for E&H.
The penalty bug bit both teams as the Wasps committed eight infractions for 58 yards while Wingate was penalized seven times for 65 yards.
Both teams were 1-for-2 on fourth down conversion attempts.
Up Next
Emory & Henry hits the road next weekend when the Wasps visit the Palmetto State to take on the Wolves of Newberry College in a battle at the top of the SAC standings. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. from Setzler Field.
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