HICKORY, N.C. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (2-1, 1-1 SAC) made a furious late rally, but came up just short in South Atlantic Conference play against No. 21 nationally-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University (2-1, 2-0 SAC) Saturday evening. The Bears ran out to a 28-3 halftime lead, before the Wasps mounted a second-half comeback to tie things up at 28-28. LR hit a game-winning field goal as time expired to edge E&H by a 31-28 final score.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – No. 21 Lenoir-Rhyne 31, Emory & Henry 28
LOCATION – Hickory, North Carolina
VENUE – Moretz Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (2-1, 1-1 SAC); No. 21 Lenoir-Rhyne (2-1, 2-0 SAC)
How It Happened
The Bears wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Khamoni Robinson took the opening play from scrimmage 83 yards for a touchdown to put LR on top 7-0. E&H quickly went three-and-out and punted the ball back to the home team. Lenoir-Rhyne marched 73 yards on just five plays, capped off with a 38-yard touchdown pass from Robinson to Zion Agnew to push their lead out to 14-0.
After a great punt from sophomore punter Brennan Hanley (Smithtown, N.Y.) pinned the Bears deep in their own territory at the one yardline, the home team drove 99 yards in 13 plays as Robinson found paydirt on the ground from 18 yards out to increase the LR advantage to 21-0.
The two teams exchanged two punts apiece before the Wasps finally broke through on the scoreboard. E&H moved the ball through the air as junior quarterback Cole Lambert (Abingdon, Va.) completed four passes for 55 yards on the drive to get the Wasps in field goal range. Senior kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.) drilled an attempt from 45 yards to cut the deficit to 21-3. Lenoir-Rhyne had an immediate answer as the Bears went 70 yards on five plays and Zayvion Turner-Knox plunged in from a yard out to run the score to 28-3 heading into the halftime break.
Emory & Henry was first on the board to begin the second half as senior defensive back Shawn Collins (Salem, Va.) picked off Robinson to give E&H the ball back. The Wasps took their second possession 80 yards down the field on seven plays from scrimmage and senior running back Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.) found the end zone from eight yards out to make it 28-10. E&H forced an LR punt and put together another drive that saw them reach first and goal at the Lenoir-Rhyne five yard line. The Wasps could not punch it in on four plays as they turned the ball over on downs.
The E&H defense continued to hold strong as they forced yet another LR punt. The Wasp offense capitalized as they matriculated the ball 54 yards down the field in just four plays and Jackson scampered in from two yards away for his second score of the game and the margin was reduced to 28-17 with just over 13 minutes remaining.
Emory & Henry forced a turnover on the ensuing Bear possession when Collins forced a fumble that was recovered by senior linebacker A.J. Burgess (Roxboro, N.C.) to give the Wasps the ball in LR territory. The visitors from Emory reached field goal range and Butcher was true from 36 yards to move the Wasps back within a single score at 28-20.
The E&H defense was up to the task once more on the next LR possession as fifth-year defensive lineman Corey Prince (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) picked off a pass from backup quarterback Wells Bettenhausen to give the Wasps the ball deep in LR territory. Lambert found sophomore wide receiver Tristan Stitt (Indian Trail, N.C.) for a three-yard touchdown, then converted a successful two-point attempt to senior tight end Nate Tinnell (Broadway, Va.) to complete the comeback and tie the game up at 28-28 with 5:35 on the clock.
Lenoir-Rhyne showed its resilience in the deciding moments of the contest as the Bears drove 57 yards in 15 plays to set up a game-winning field goal attempt. The first try at the kick was no good, but an offside penalty gave the Bears new life. Daniel Deneen, Jr. was true on his second attempt and the No. 21 nationally-ranked Bears escaped with the narrow 31-28 victory.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Lambert was 14-for-30 through the air for 225 yards and a touchdown. Jackson rushed for 62 yards on 21 carries with a pair of scores while adding three receptions for 13 yards. Junior running back Rudolph Paul (Douglasville, Ga.) finished with 22 yards on three carries and had one catch for eight yards.
Junior wide receiver Jakari Mozelle (Hampton, Va.) led the receiving corps with 91 yards on three catches while sophomore wide receiver Parker Prioleau (Radford, Va.) added 80 yards on three receptions. Stitt finished with three catches for 23 yards and the score.
Defensively, senior linebacker Kasey Branch (Waynesboro, Va.) had a team-high nine tackles and a quarterback hurry, while junior defensive lineman Ean Rhea (Glade Spring, Va.) had four tackles, 3.5 for loss, and 1.5 sacks with a quarterback hurry of his own. Senior defensive back Jarrell Harrison (Virginia Beach, Va.) posted eight tackles, one for loss, and a pass breakup while Collins finished with three tackles, one interception, one forced fumble and a pass breakup.
Lenoir-Rhyne Individual Leaders
Robinson threw for 180 yards on 10-for-17 passing and a touchdown while carrying the ball 15 times for 154 yards and a pair of scores. Bettenhausen was 4-for-6 for 34 yards and an interception, but led the Bears down the field for the game-winning field goal.
Turner-Knox recorded 39 yards on 18 carries and LJ Turner went for 30 yards on six attempts. Songa Yates led the Bears with 98 yards receiving on four catches. Agnew registered 68 yards on five catches and one touchdown.
Five different Bears finished the game with five tackles each, highlighted by Maddox Aprile who added 1.5 sacks, 2.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. Royce Turner picked off Lambert and broke up a pair of pass attempts.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry finished with 291 yards of total offense on 57 plays, including rushing for 66 yards on 27 attempts and passing for 225 net yards. The Bears had 444 yards on 67 plays from scrimmage.
The Wasps were 5-for-14 (36%) on third-down while Lenoir-Rhyne converted 71% (10-for-14) of their third-down chances.
E&H won the turnover battle, forcing a pair of interceptions and a fumble while surrendering the ball just one time.
LR was less disciplined during the game as the Bears committed eight penalties for 80 yards compared to just five penalties for 35 yards for the Wasps.
Up Next
Emory & Henry is back on the road next Saturday, September 20 when they make the trip to take on the Pioneers of Tusculum University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Greeneville, Tennessee.
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