Football | 10/16/2010 9:46:44 PM
WINCHESTER, Va. - The Methodist football team put themselves in position to earn another second half comeback, but the offense stalled just short giving Shenandoah the 21-18 win.
Shenandoah jumped out to the 7-0 lead on their first possession of the game backed by a 59-yard run by quarterback Daniel Wright. The Hornets went ahead 14-0 early in the second quarter with a 76-yard fumble return for a touchdown.
Methodist took over on their own 12-yard line and put together a 75-yard drive to set up a 30-yard field goal by
Tyler Mosko just before halftime.
Midway through the third quarter, the Monarchs'
Matt Phifer picked up a 43-yard punt return to reach the Shenandoah 20-yard line. On the first play of the drive, quarterback
Travis Murphy connected with
Adam Thomas for the touchdown. Mosko's extra point cut the Hornets' lead to four.
Shenandoah opened the fourth quarter with a touchdown, but Methodist took over and drove back to the Hornets' 23-yard line. The Shenandoah defense picked up a crucial stop on fourth and one for the Monarchs to turn the ball over on downs. The Methodist defense held Shenandoah at the 50-yard line and Phifer picked up six additional yards after a short 15-yard punt. The Monarchs took over on their own 41-yard line and Murphy drove right back into Shenandoah territory.
Murphy found
Jason Talbert for a timely first down at the Hornets' eight yard line. Murphy scrambled for five additional yards before finishing the drive on a three-yard pass to
Vaughn Cross. The Monarchs moved within three points after a successful two point conversion on Murphy's rush attempt.
Methodist came right back and recovered the on-side kick to take over on their own 43-yard line with 3:01 left to play. The Monarchs drove down to the Shenandoah 11-yard line, but the Hornets pushed the offense back on third and 10 setting up Mosko for the 29-yard field goal attempt. The kick hooked just wide left leaving Shenandoah with the 21-18 win.
Murphy finished 24-for-33 passing for 240 yards with two touchdowns. He added 75 yards rushing for the Monarchs.
Anthony Autry was the team's leading receiver with six catches for 91 yards.
Keone Kyle paced the Shenandoah offense picking up 115 yards on the ground. Wright finished 6-for-15 for 51 yards passing.
Seth Sandlin led the defense with eight tackles. Corey Giffing had 14 tackles for Shenandoah and Joshua Rogers finished with 13.
The Monarchs will be back at home on Saturday, Oct. 23 when they host Averett University in conjunction with MU Homecoming festivities.
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