FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist opened up its 2018 season in an explosive game Saturday at Monarch Stadium as the host Monarchs and Shenandoah University combined for six touchdown plays of 25 yards or longer. Though Methodist outgained the visitors, the Hornets escaped with a 48-33 non-conference victory on a blisteringly-hot day.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Shenandoah 48 – Methodist 33
Location: Monarch Stadium, Fayetteville, N.C.
Records: Methodist 0-1 overall, Shenandoah 1-0 overall

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After a Steve Keoni to Kobe Praylow touchdown pass of 20 yards had pulled Methodist to a manageable 20-13 deficit with 7 minutes, 40 seconds to go in the second quarter, Shenandoah was able to reel off three unanswered scores  -- one late in the second, and the other two during a scoreless third quarter for the Monarchs -- to build a cushion that was simply too big of a hill to climb for Methodist.
• Keoni and Praylow hooked up again to break that string, connecting for a 32 yard catch and run touchdown in the opening minute of the fourth, the Hornets broke Methodist's backs with their next score -- a 100-yard interception return for a touchdown by Shenandoah's Nate Hill -- five minutes later as the Monarchs were primed to cut into the deficit.
• Following Nick Baker's electric 28-yard TD run with 2:11 to play, Methodist converted a not-very-secret onside kick. Devan Cox tossed a short pass to Troy Chavis in the final minute with Chavis scampering all the way home for another six. The ensuing onside kick ended up in Shenandoah's hands, though, putting an end to the exciting finish.
• Vontre Howard was the early work-horse for the Monarch offense, finishing with 57 yards on 18 carries.
• Baker's late score from 28 yards out padded his team-high total of 65 yards on the day, a figure that was accumulated from a 7.2 yards per carry average.
• Pralow notched two TD catches during his three-catch, 96-yard afternoon, but it was Xzavier McNeil to paced all receivers on the day with 10 catches for 116 yards.
• Keoni finished his afternoon 16-38 for 256 yards and three TDs, but also with three interceptions.
• Methodist's offense was ahead of Shenandoah's in first downs (26-24), rushing yards (178-140), passing yards (343-283), third-down efficiency (56.5 percent to 40 percent), and time of possession (31:12 to 28:24).
• Unfortunately for the Monarchs, they also led with seven penalties for 102 yards -- once, nullifying a touchdown that resulted in a scoreless possession -- while also surrendering that 100-yd. pick-six as well as a 63-yd. punt return touchdown to Jalen Hudson.
• Justin Santiago racked up three solo tackles and four assists -- including two tackles for losses -- while teammate Gerrod Nobles garnered five solo tackles and EJ White added four solos and two assists.
• Brandon Bagley had five tackles including one for a 13-yd. loss and a forced fumble.

BEYOND THE BOXCORE

• The two teams hadn't played each other since 2011, with Shenandoah coming out the victor. Saturday's win gives the Hornets an 8-4 series lead.
• Methodist demolished its season-scoring average from the 2017 season -- 18.4 points per game -- and obliterated last season's yards per game total (294.3) with 521 yards on Saturday.

HORNETS NOTES

• Returning starting quarterback Hayden Bauserman had a stellar day for the visitors, hitting for 25-of-39 in the passing department for a total of 283 yards and three TDs.
• Mario Wisdom (80 yds.) and Rashadeen Byrd Jr. (65 yds.) were the only two ball carriers for Shenandoah that accumulated more than six rushing yards.

UP NEXT

• Methodist heads to Guilford College on Saturday for a non-conference battle in Greensboro, N.C.
• Shenandoah takes on North Carolina Wesleyan on Saturday at home.