Football | 9/24/2011 6:16:00 PM
Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Methodist football team trailed for just five minutes and 47 seconds of Saturday's contest with Emory & Henry, but the Wasps came up big late and upended the Monarchs 34-27.
The Methodist defense put the Wasps on their heels early and the offense countered with the first score of the game.
Travis Murphy connected with
Vaughn Cross for a 49-yard reception to the Emory & Henry four-yard line on the first possession of the game.
John Flanagan finished the drive on two carries and
Tyler Mosko's extra point gave the Monarchs the 7-0 lead. The defense forced the Wasps to turn the ball over on downs on the next possession to hold the lead. Emory & Henry got the ball back on their own 23-yard line, but on the second play of the drive, Wasps' quarterback Kyle Boden was intercepted by
Navahri Holden and a 15-yard return gave Methodist the ball at the Emory & Henry 18-yard line. The Monarchs were unable to reach the endzone, but Mosko converted a 36-yard field goal for the 10-0 lead.
The Wasps put together a seven play drive on their next possession capitalizing on a Methodist penalty to score a touchdown, but trailed 10-7 at the end of the first quarter. The Monarchs' defense forced another Emory & Henry turnover early in the second quarter when Holden picked up a fumble at the Wasps' 41-yard line. Flanagan punched in another touchdown and Mosko's extra point put Methodist up 17-7. The Methodist defense allowed just three first downs in the second quarter and forced Emory & Henry to turn the ball over on downs again. After
Seth Sandlin and
Devoe Mewborn stopped Boden at the Methodist three-yard line late in the half, the Wasps settled for a 20-yard field goal and trailed 17-10 going into the locker room.
Both teams traded fumbles early in the third quarter with no real damage done. The Monarchs put together an 85-yard drive late in the quarter thanks in part to a 33-yard pass from Murphy to Cross on top of a dish from
Jason Talbert to Flanagan for a 35-yard pick up. The Monarchs got as far as the three-yard line before Mosko's 20-yard field goal gave Methodist the 20-10 advantage. Emory & Henry scored two touchdowns on consecutive possessions to end the third quarter and start the fourth quarter for the 24-20 advantage and their first lead of the game.
Max Mellon put the Monarchs back in good field position with a 70-yard run on the next possession. Murphy finished the drive with a touchdown pass to
Nathan Kindley for Methodist to regain the lead. Mosko's kick put the Monarchs ahead 27-24.
The Methodist defense stopped the Wasps on the ensuing drive, but after a Murphy interception and Methodist penalty, the Wasps were right back in the Monarchs' territory.
Roderick Sawyer broke up a pass and Sandlin had another big stop on third down to force the Wasps to settle for a 42-yard field goal to tie the game. The Monarchs struggled with penalties late on top of a bad punt snap gave Emory & Henry the ball on the Methodist seven yard line with 4:19 to play in the game. Boden connected with DaVon Ross for what would be the game-winning touchdown. The Monarchs would have one final possession with strong field position after Cross' 68-yard kickoff return, but the drive stalled and the Wasps finished with the 34-27 win.
Murphy finished 12-for-28 with two interceptions for 159 yards passing. He added a team-high 80-yards rushing. Mellon finished with 60 yards rushing nad Flanagan had 45-yards. Cross led all receivers with four catches for 93 yards. Holden led the team with 11 tackles while
Malcolm McCoy had eight.
Boden was 30-for-52 with one interception and 245 yards passing. Marquis Young led the running game with 48 yards. Devan Sproles made 10 tackles.
The Monarchs will open USA South Athletic Conference action next Saturday when they host Christopher Newport at 1 p.m.
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