FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Freshman Brandon Bullins engineered his first game-winning drive and Methodist football knocked off the visiting Brevard Tornados from the ranks of the unbeatens with a 24-23 victory in USA South Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon in the Monarchs' annual Play 4Kay game.

With 27 seconds remaining in the game, Bullins found Xzavier McNeil in the seams and McNeil went 48 yards for the touchdown. Tied at 23-23, Trevor Hargett nailed the game-winning extra point despite a bad snap/hold that forced Hargett to kick the PAT off the ground.

Bullins delivered with an outstanding performance under center. His 339 passing yards were the most by a Monarch since September of 2016, and his 31 completions (48 attempts) are the most since Max Reber set the program record with 35 in 2014. Bullins also had two touchdowns. 

McNeil was Bullins' right-hand man, setting a new program record with 13 receptions and he also had 185 receiving yards and two touchdowns, all career high numbers. His 185 yards is the most by a Methodist player since September of 2014.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Methodist def. Brevard, 24-23
Records: Methodist 2-2 (1-1 USA South), Brevard 3-1 (1-1)
Location: Fayetteville, N.C.; Monarch Stadium
Event: Play 4Kay Game, a fundraising event in support of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Tornados' scored their three touchdowns off of home run plays. Dalton Cole completed touchdown passes of 79, 64, and 44, with two of those touchdowns coming on 3rd and 10s. Outside of the three touchdown plays, Brevard gained 154 yards of offense on the other 63 plays.
• Cole gained a first down on 3rd-and-20 with a 26-yard completion to Cortez Scales Jr. before finding Jamerial Parks for the 44-yard touchdown at the top of the fourth quarter to give Brevard its first lead, 20-17.
• Brevard added a 27-yard field goal for a 23-17 score with 2:50 remaining in the game.
• On the game-winning drive, Bullins completed a 24-yard pass to McNeil on 3rd-and-27 and then found McNeil on fourth down for a short conversion. On the very next play, it was "third time's the charm" as McNeil galloped for the touchdown.
• In the Monarchs' first drive of the second quarter, Methodist scored the game's opening touchdown with a Bullins strike to McNeil for 23 yards. Bullins went four-for-four on the drive for 69 yards and the touchdown.
• Hargett connected on a 21-yard field goal for a 10-0 lead with less than a minute remaining in the second quarter. Previously, Hargett had missed a 35-yarder in the first quarter.
• Brevard scored its first touchdown halfway through the third quarter. Dalton Cole found Brandon Norris for 79 yards on a 3rd-and-10 for to cut the score to 10-7.

STAT FACTS

• As a team, the Monarchs doubled up the Tornados in first downs with 24-12 and out gained Brevard, 440-334 in total yards of offense.
• Vontre Howard led Methodist rushing for 53 yards on 18 carries.
• Kobe Praylow had seven receptions for 90 yards, all good for second on the team. Vic Woods added five catches for 40 yards.
• Roderic Christian Jr. (five solo tackles, four assisted) and Jake Allen (three solo, six assists, plus a sack and a key blocked extra point) had a team-high nine tackles. 
• Devonte White had eight tackles and was a force in coverage with three pass breakups. Josh Hill also had three pass breakups.
• Nate Jones (seven tackles) and Gerrod Nobles (four tackles) each came away with an interception in the game.
• Cole went 15-of-37 for 267 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions.
• The Methodist defense held Brevard to 73 rushing yards on 30 attempts, for an average of 2.4 yards.

UP NEXT

• The Monarchs are on the road to play Maryville (Tenn.) College in conference play October 19 at 2 p.m.
• Brevard hosts visiting conference foe Huntingdon College October 19 at 1 p.m.