Football | 9/27/2008 4:15:09 PM

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The Methodist Monarchs opened USA South conference play with a 42-0 loss to N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon.  Methodist falls to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in the conference while N.C. Wesleyan is 2-2 overall and 1-0 in the USA South.

Methodist received the kickoff to start the game and picked up a first down on quarterback Erik Teague's three yard pass to Brian Hopkins but the offense stalled on the N.C. Wesleyan 44-yard line.  The Bishops took over and put together an 84-yard drive to score the first touchdown of the game.  Methodist could not get another first down as N.C. Wesleyan scored a safety and another touchdown to take a 16-0 lead in the first quarter.

The Bishops started the second quarter on the Methodist 48-yard line and used two rushes by Antonio Harris to score a touchdown and take the 23-0 lead with 14:21 to go in the second quarter.  Methodist used a 29-yard kickoff return by Antonio Bartee to takeover on their own 40-yard line.  The Monarchs had third down and one yard to go but lost a yard on the rush and turned the ball over on downs at the N.C. Wesleyan 14-yard line.  The Bishops took over and scored a touchdown, but Methodist's special teams blocked the extra point.  At halftime, N.C. Wesleyan led 29-0.

Mario Miralles kicked off the second half for Methodist to the N.C. Wesleyan eight yard line.  The Bishops had an eight-yard return to the 16-yard line, but on their first possession, Stedman Mathis ran for an 84-yard touchdown to take the 36-0 lead.  Methodist was forced to punt on their next possession and the Bishops advanced to the Methodist 19-yard line where Kevin Quicker kicked a 35-yard field goal.  The third quarter ended with N.C. Wesleyan holding a 39-0 lead.  

N.C. Wesleyan took advantage of an interception by Teague early in the fourth quarter and advanced to the Methodist five-yard line where Quicker kicked a 22-yard field goal.  The Bishops finished with the 42-0 win.

Teague was 11-25 passing for 96 yards while Corey McGuire ran for 40 yards.  Chris Peoples had three catches for 30 yards while Hopkins finished with 26 yards receiving.  Brian Leary led the defense with seven tackles while Chris Oden and Devoe Mewborn both had fumble recoveries.

The Monarchs will travel to Emory & Henry on Saturday for a 12 pm kickoff.

Box Score