Football | 10/22/2011 4:43:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Shenandoah set the tone early and doubled up the Monarchs 46-23 on Saturday.

It took little time for the Hornets to take the lead – SU forced a fumble on the opening kick and two plays later Brad Martz took it in from the 3 for the initial touchdown of the contest. Shenandoah took the 14-0 lead late in the first quarter after starting their drive on the Methodist 23-yard line. Shenandoah took advantage of another Methodist fumble to open the second quarter with their third touchdown of the day and the 21-0 lead. The Monarchs responded with a touchdown drive of their own after a 25-yard kickoff return by Vaughn Cross. John Flanagan finished the drive with a one-yard run and the touchdown. Tyler Mosko's extra point cut the lead to 14.

The Hornets came back inside the Methodist red zone, but a tackle for loss  by Jonathan Fulmore and Jarrett Covar on third and seven forced Shenandoah to settle for a 25-yard field goal. A misplayed kickoff return left the Monarchs deep in their own territory and the Hornets sacked quarterback Max Reber in the end zone for a safety with 3:33 to play in the first half. Shenandoah closed the half with an 80-yard drive to lead 33-7 at the break.

Shenandoah led 40-7 early in the third quarter before Methodist's Antjuan Jones ran back a 58-yard interception return for a touchdown with 1:57 to play in the quarter. Shenandoah's Daniel Wright was intercepted again on the ensuing drive by Malcolm McCoy and the Monarchs set up on the Shenandoah 23-yard line to open the fourth quarter. Travis Murphy found Vaughn Cross as he was falling to his knees for a 28-yard touchdown pass and with Mosko's extra point, the Monarchs trailed 40-21. Shenandoah came back with another big drive for a touchdown, but Devoe Mewborn blocked the extra point and Antjuan Jones ran it back for a defensive PAT. The Monarchs had two final possessions, but could not capitalize as Shenandoah finished with the 46-23 win.

Reber was 4-for-13 passing for 67 yards while Murphy was 6-for-14 with 68 yards. Reber led the team with 42 rushing yards while Flanagan added 27. Cross had four catches for 85 yards. Defensively Keltcey Richardson and Navahri Holden had eight tackles apiece.

The Monarchs will be back in action next Saturday as they travel to Averett University for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Box Score