MARS HILL, N.C. – The Emory & Henry University Football Team (6-1, 5-1 SAC) showed why it is the top-ranked team in the South Atlantic Conference Saturday afternoon as the Wasps defeated Mars Hill University (3-3, 2-2 SAC). E&H overcame an early 7-0 deficit, ripping off 24 unanswered points on their way to a 48-23 victory. With the win, the Wasps snapped a three-game losing streak against the Lions. It is the third time this season that Emory & Henry has eclipsed the 40-point mark in a win, and the fifth double-digit victory for the Wasps.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 48, Mars Hill 23
LOCATION – Mars Hill, North Carolina
VENUE – Meares Stadium
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (6-1, 5-1 SAC); Mars Hill (3-3, 2-2 SAC)
How It Happened
The Lions received to begin the game and moved the ball 53 yards on seven plays, but the E&H defense stood tall to force a turnover on downs. The Wasps would take over at their own 30 and march into Mars Hill territory. The possession would end without points however, as a long-distance field goal attempt was no good and the score remained 0-0.
MHU was first on the board with their next possession, driving 62 yards on nine plays as quarterback JR Martin punched the ball in from a yard out to make it 7-0. The visitors from Emory had an immediate response with the ensuing possession. The Wasps matriculated the ball down the field on the back of two passes from junior quarterback Cole Lambert (Abingdon, Va.) to junior wide receiver Jakari Mozelle (Hampton, Va.) and solid rushing by senior running back Jordan Jackson (Richmond, Va.). Jackson plunged into the end zone from one yard out and the score was tied at 7-7.
Emory & Henry's defense forced the Lions three-and-out with their next possession of the ball to force a punt and the Wasps put together another scoring drive of their own. Lambert continued the aerial attack as he found senior wide receiver Cam Peoples (Reidsville, N.C.) for 16 yards and Mozelle for 16 more to put the Wasps in the red zone. Lambert hooked up with sophomore wide receiver Tristan Stitt (Indian Trail, N.C.) for a 13-yard score to give E&H a 14-7 lead.
After another MHU punt, the Wasps put their foot on the gas pedal for yet another score. A pair of rushes by Jackson and another completion to Mozelle put the ball at the E&H 41. Lambert found sophomore wide receiver Parker Prioleau (Radford, Va.), who outran the Lions to the end zone for a 59-yard touchdown to push the E&H advantage out to 21-7.
The two teams both struggled to move the ball over the following three possessions, resulting in punts but E&H was not done scoring before the break. The Wasps quickly moved the ball into field goal range and senior kicker Trace Butcher (Dacula, Ga.) was good from 40 yards out as time expired to give Emory & Henry a 24-7 margin heading into the break.
Mars Hill ended the Wasps' scoring run on E&H's second possession of the second half when an intentional grounding call in the end zone gave the Lions a safety to cut their deficit to 24-9, but once again Emory & Henry had a response. After forcing the Lions to punt away the football, the Wasps went 85 yards on six plays, highlighted by a 58-yard completion from Lambert to Mozelle. Jackson scored from eight yards away and E&H pushed its lead out to 31-9. Emory & Henry's defense got in on the scoring action on the next play from scrimmage when sophomore defensive lineman Connor Roberts (Bluefield, Va.) sacked Martin and forced him to fumble. Redshirt freshman defensive back Emmanuel Lusca (Winchester, Va.) scooped up the loose ball and sprinted into the end zone to give the Wasps a commanding 38-9 advantage.
MHU would strike back on its next turn with the ball as the Lions went 75 yards on six plays and Martin found Caleb Lominac for a 10-yard score to make it 38-15. E&H turned the ball over with an interception, but the Lions gave the ball right back as senior defensive back Shawn Collins (Salem, Va.) picked off his third pass of the season to put the Wasps in business at the Mars Hill 10. Another Jackson rushing touchdown, this of the six-yard variety, gave Emory & Henry a 30-point margin at 45-15.
Mars Hill scored for a final time when Martin passed to Javonte Sherman for a two-yard score to bring the score to 45-23. The Wasps would seal the win on their final possession, moving the ball 40 yards in six plays and Butcher was true from 25 yards away to send the score to its final at 48-23. Senior defensive back Alex Edwards (Monroe, N.C.) put the emphasis on the win as he picked off Martin on the final play of the game to give the Wasps the 25-point triumph.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
Lambert was 15-for-23 through the air for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Jackson rushed for 112 yards on 26 carries and redshirt running back Devin Bryant (Midlothian, Va.) finished with 46 yards on a pair of attempts.
Mozelle led the receiving corps with a career-high 144 yards on seven catches while Prioleau added 84 yards and a score on two receptions. Peoples finished with three catches for 41 yards and Stitt added the 13-yard touchdown on his lone catch of the day.
Defensively, senior defensive back Tyreon Porter (Charlotte, N.C.) finished with 10 tackles while fellow senior defensive back Jarrell Harrison (Virginia Beach, Va.) added seven tackles, one for loss. Sophomore defensive lineman Joshua Gooding (Glen Allen, Va.) had seven tackles, .5 for loss, and a quarterback hurry. Sophomore defensive lineman Mason Purham (Hampton, Va.) had another big day as he posted seven tackles, 1.5 for loss, and a trio of quarterback hurries while Roberts recorded four tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a pair of hurries. Collins made five stops to go along with his interception.
Mars Hill Individual Leaders
Martin threw for 290 yards on 24-for-44 passing with a pair of scores, but turned the ball over with a pair of interceptions.
Jon Gullette recorded 66 yards on 21carries for the Lions.
Charlie Guinade led the Lions with 125 yards receiving on 10 receptions. Gullette added 65 yards through the air on five catches. Lominac finished with 40 yards and a touchdown on four catches while Sherman had three receptions for 33 yards and a score.
Omari Sanders-Richardson led the defensive effort for MHU with nine tackles and a pass breakup. Isaac Weaver had eight stops, one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss while Steven Reid had seven tackles.
A Deeper Look
Emory & Henry finished with a season-high 444 yards of total offense on 59 plays, including rushing for 159 yards on 36 attempts and passing for another season-high 285 net yards. The Lions managed 371 yards on 73 plays from scrimmage.
The Wasps were 4-for-8 (50%) on third down, compared to 40% (6-for-15) for the Lions.
Emory & Henry won the turnover battle as the Wasps forced a pair of interceptions and forced a fumble while turning the pigskin over just once.
MHU held a narrow advantage in time of possession as they held the ball for 31:47 of gameplay, compared to 28:13 for E&H.
Up Next
Emory & Henry is back at home next Saturday, October 18 when the Wasps host the Bulldogs of Wingate University for Homecoming Weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. from Fred Selfe Stadium at Nicewonder Field.
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