EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (3-1, 2-1 SAC) continued to roll in South Atlantic Conference play as the Wasps blasted Anderson (S.C.) University (3-2, 1-2 SAC) Saturday afternoon. E&H overcame an early 10-0 deficit and a two and a half hour weather delay to run away with the big 42-13 victory. With the win, the Wasps moved to 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the SAC.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 42, Anderson (S.C.) 13
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Fred Selfe Stadium at Nicewonder Field
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-1, 3-1 SAC); Anderson (3-2, 1-2 SAC)
How It Happened
The Trojans began the game on the front foot as they broke through on the scoreboard first. Anderson drove 75 yards on 11 plays over a seven minute and 22 second span, capped off with a six-yard touchdown scamper by quarterback Tyler Wesley to make it 7-0 early. The Trojans struck again after forcing Emory to punt on its first possession. AU marched 50 yards on 12 plays, but the drive stalled and the visitors had to settle for a 43-yard field goal off the toe of Ross Burnette to push their advantage out to 10-0.
The two teams exchanged punts, and the Wasps got on the scoreboard midway through the second quarter. Senior quarterback Charles Mutter, III (King George, Va.) found senior wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.), who streaked through the defense for a 64-yard touchdown reception to cut the deficit to 10-7.
Both teams struggled to move the ball with their ensuing possessions until E&H tallied another score with just under five minutes remaining in the opening half. Senior running back Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.) ripped off a pair of good rushes to put the Wasps in position and Mutter found sophomore wide receiver Tristan Stitt (Indian Trail, N.C.) from 19 yards out to put the Wasps on top 14-10.
The Wasps found the end zone once more on their next possession after redshirt freshman defensive back Emmanuel Lusca (Winchester, Va.) picked off Wesley and returned the ball to the Anderson 14. Jackson galloped in from two yards away to run the E&H lead out to 21-10. The Trojans would manage another Burnette field goal, this of the 45-yard variety, to close the gap to 21-13 heading into the locker room.
Junior defensive lineman Ean Rhea (Glade Spring, Va.) forced the second Trojans turnover of the afternoon two AU possessions later as he stripped Wesley as he tried to scramble with the ball and sophomore defensive lineman Connor Roberts (Bluefield, Va.) pounced on the loose pigskin to put the Wasps in business at the Anderson 18 yardline. Mutter plunged into the end zone four plays later for a seven-yard touchdown and the Wasps led 28-13.
The Emory & Henry special teams got in on the scoring act to begin the fourth quarter as Peoples fielded a punt from Jackson McCurry and eluded the Trojan cover team, weaving his way down the field for a 72-yard touchdown to balloon the home team's margin out to 35-13.
The Wasps put the game to bed with their final possession as they drove 83 yards on 10 plays with Mutter finding the end zone one more time from three yards out to put the icing on the 42-13 SAC victory.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Mutter was 5-for-11 through the air for 129 yards and a pair of touchdowns while rushing nine times for 46 yards and two more scores. Jackson rushed for 122 yards on 21 carries with a score.
Peoples led the receiving corps with 78 yards on three catches and a touchdown while junior wide receiver Jakari Mozelle (Hampton, Va.) added 31 yards on two receptions. Stitt finished with a score on his lone catch of the day.
Defensively, sophomore defensive lineman Mason Purham (Hampton, Va.) had a monster day, finishing with a career-high 12 tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. Rhea posted seven tackles, three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and a pair of quarterback hurries. Lusca had five stops and the interception while senior defensive back Jarrell Harrison (Virginia Beach, Va.) registered eight tackles, .5 for loss.
Anderson Individual Leaders
Wesley threw for 170 yards on 14-for-31 passing while carrying the ball 21 times for 32 yards and a score.
Bryson James recorded 38 yards on 10 carries and Zion Gilbert went for 32 yards on five attempts. Jonathan Bowden led the Trojans with 79 yards receiving on four catches.
Carter Wit led the defensive effort for AU with 10 tackles. Josiah Jeffery had seven stops while Hezekiah Kinard had five tackles, one for loss.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry finished with 314 yards of total offense on 48 plays, including rushing for 174 yards on 32 attempts and passing for 140 net yards. The Trojans had 271 yards on 70 plays from scrimmage.
The Wasps struggled on third down, converting just one of their seven attempts (14%) compared to 33% (6-for-18) for the Trojans.
Emory & Henry won the turnover battle, forcing an interception and a fumble without turning the ball over.
The E&H defense put pressure on the Anderson quarterback all game, sacking Wesley on six separate occasions for a loss of 28 yards.
AU controlled the time of possession as they held the ball for 36:07 of gameplay, compared to 23:53 for the Wasps.
Up Next
Emory & Henry is back at home next Saturday, October 4 when the Wasps play host to the Eagles of Carson-Newman University for Sports Hall of Fame Induction Day/Military and First Responder Appreciation Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Fred Selfe Stadium.
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