Football | 9/20/2014 6:53:00 PM

Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- Noah Shuler scored the game-tying touchdown with 42 seconds left in regulation then scored the game-winning touchdown on MU's first possession of overtime as the Monarchs rallied to defeat Huntingdon, 41-34, on Saturday afternoon at Monarch Stadium.
 
Shuler capped MU's (2-1, 1-0 USA South) comeback in regulation with a six-yard touchdown reception on third down to knot the game at 34-34 with 42 seconds on the clock. Looking to take a one-point lead following Shuler's score, Jordan Rieling banged his extra-point attempt off the left upright to keep the game in a deadlock.
 
On Huntingdon's ensuing possession, a 39-yard pass play from Luke Bailey to Nick Haas gave HC (1-2, 0-1 USA South) 1st-and-10 from the MU 36 with under 30 seconds to play. However, Methodist's Bryan Bing broke up Bailey's next pass attempt, and Kieron Ashley followed with an interception of Bailey at the five-yard line and 16 seconds remaining in the contest.
 
In the overtime period, Methodist got the ball first and Shuler scampered in from 10 yards out on the fourth play, which, followed by a successful PAT by Rieling, put the Monarchs on top, 41-34.
 
On Huntingdon's first possession, the Hawks advanced to the MU 15-yard line before John Iwaniec had the ball jarred loose, and Marlon Thomas jumped on top of it for Methodist to seal the dramatic win.
 
Methodist had taken a 14-6 lead after the first quarter as the MU offense started quickly. Methodist needed just 54 seconds to go 73 yards as John Papillion scored on a 46-yard carry for a quick 7-0 lead. The Monarchs then forced Huntingdon into a three-and-out, getting the ball back on the Hawks 48. This time, MU covered 48 yards in seven plays and took a 14-0 lead on a three-yard plunge by Shuler.
 
However, Huntingdon came roaring back and would take a 26-21 lead into the break.  The Hawks began their offensive surge with a nine-play, 86-yard drive that ended in a Bailey to Jamichael Bibb 16-yard touchdown strike. J.D. Stalvey blocked the ensuing PAT, and MU led 14-6 late in the first quarter. After an MU punt, Jay Ware put the exclamation point on a six-play, 66-yard drive with a two-yard run and Bailey's two-point conversion was successful to tie the game a 14-14 early in the second stanza.
 
Methodist would briefly regain the lead as Max Reber connected with Anthony Radke from 10 yards out and Rieling's PAT made it 21-14. The Monarchs forced Huntingdon to punt on their next possession, but the Hawks got the ball right back as Jake Green came down with a deflected pass for an interception. On the very next play, Bailey hit Bibb for a 35-yard touchdown and after another blocked PAT, MU led 21-20.
 
The Methodist offense followed with a three-and-out on the its next series, and Huntingdon took the lead on Iwaniec's two-yard plunge. David Ballard then missed the ensuing PAT which left the score at 26-21 heading into halftime.
 
After a scoreless third quarter, Papillion gave the Monarchs the lead back (28-26) with a 22-yard scamper to open the fourth. Both team's punted on their next possession and with 10:09 showing on the clock, the Hawks took possession on their own 36-yard line. Following a pass interference penalty that moved HC to the plus side of the 50, Iwaniec burst through the middle for a 49-yard touchdown and a 34-28 lead after a two-point conversion.
 
For the game, HC gained 545 yards to 539 for Methodist. Each team turned the ball over twice, and HC had nearly a 10-minute advantage in time of possession.
 
Shuler turned in a workman-like performance, rushing for 105 yards on 28 carries with two touchdowns. He also added two receptions for 19 yards and a touchdown. His backfield mate, Papillion, totaled 157 yards rushing on 19 carries with a pair of scores. Reber finished 16-of-27 passing for 264 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Radke had six receptions for 119 yards and a touchdown, and Patrick Jacobs chipped in 63 yards on four grabs.
 
Defensively, Bing had a career-best 18 tackles, including 1.5 for loss, and a pass breakup. Jalen Holloman added nine tackles, and D.J. Payne and Marlon Thomas each totaled eight.
 
For the Hawks, Iwaniec totaled 126 yards on the ground with two touchdowns. Bailey added 68 yards on 17 carries, while also completing 17-of-25 passes for 291 yards with a pair of scores. Bibb had four receptions for 88 yards and two touchdowns, and Nick Haas hauled in three passes for 95 yards.
 
Zach Brownell led Huntingdon with 17 tackles, and Jacob Wright added 16, including 2.0 for loss and a sack.
 
The Monarchs hit the road next week to take on Christopher Newport under the lights at 7:00 pm.