ASHLAND, Va. -- Despite 356 passing yards from Xavier Adams, the Methodist football team dropped a 34-16 decision to Randolph-Macon on Saturday afternoon at Day Field.
 
The Methodist (1-2) offense, which had averaged 178 yards rushing over its first two games was held to 42 yards by the Randolph-Macon (3-0) defense, turned to the throwing arm of Adams, who completed 24 of 44 passes, including an 82-yard touchdown pass to Reshad Washington late in the fourth quarter.
 
The Yellow Jackets raced out to a 20-3 lead midway through the second quarter on the strength of touchdown runs of five, four and six yards by three different players while MU got on the board courtesy of Robert Lamelas' first-career field goal, a 35-yard effort.
 
Late in the second quarter, MU pulled to within 10 points at 20-10 when Adams hooked up with Damarco Smith from nine yards out with 31 seconds on the clock.
 
It remained a 10-point game throughout the third quarter and into the fourth until Sean McDonald hauled in a seven-yard scoring pass from Joseph Vairo to make it 27-10. Dom Kaopua scored from one yard out with 2:03 to push R-MC's lead to 34-10, before Washington's long touchdown reception capped the day's scoring.
 
OF NOTE
- As a team, the Yellow Jackets racked up 231 yards on the ground, including 131 on 27 carries from Tre Frederick. Kaopua added 48 yards on 13 carries, but scored twice.
- E'Montie Dears was held to just 42 yards for the Monarchs, averaging 2.6 yards on 16 carries.
- Washington finished with 149 yards receiving on four grabs, while Smith had seven catches for 94 yards. Both yardage totals marked career highs for the duo.
- Tevis Dasher led the MU defense with a season-best 10 tackles, including eight solo stops. He also added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. James Clyde had nine stops and an interception for MU.
- The Yellow Jacket defense, led by Marcus Mitchell totaled five tackles for loss, three sacks and five pass breakups. Mitchell finished with 11 tackles and a sack, while Jack Pinkston added seven stops with 2.0 tackles for loss, including a sack.
 
The Monarchs now enter their bye week before returning to play on Oct. 1 at home against Maryville. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.