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Methodist University Athletics

The Official Athletics Site of The Methodist University monarchs Methodist University monarchs
FB v Guilford McNeil
Dave Hilbert, D3photography.com
13
MUFB MUFB 2-3
21
Winner Maryville MVC 1-5
MUFB MUFB
2-3
13
Final
21
Maryville MVC
1-5
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MUFB MUFB 3 10 0 0 13
MVC Maryville 7 0 7 7 21

Game Recap: Football | | Ja'Shawn Steward-Johnson

Early Lead Slips Away at Maryville

MARYVILLE, Tenn.   Defending conference champion Maryville (Tenn.) College outlasted visiting Methodist football, 21-13, in USA South Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon. The Scots scored two unanswered touchdowns in the second half to overcome a 13-7 halftime deficit.

Brandon Bullins went 22-of-37 for 207 yards but was unable to replicate last week's heroics after his pass to Xzavier McNeil fell incomplete on 4th-and-1 with 3:40 remaining in the fourth quarter while trailing 21-13.

It was a tale of two different philosophies on offense as the Scots gained 11 first downs (19 total) on the ground and the Monarchs gained 10 first downs (14 total) through the air. The biggest difference in the game was Methodist going 6-of-21 on third and fourth downs, while Maryville went eight-of-15.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Maryville def. Methodist, 21-13
Records: Methodist 2-3 (1-2 USA South), Maryville 1-5 (1-2)
Location: Honaker Field; Maryville, Tenn.
Event: Maryville College Homecoming

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Football is a game of inches and look no further than this game for proof. On 3rd-and-5, a Bullins completion to McNeil came up a yard short of a first down. A Vontre Howard run was stuffed for no gain on 3rd-and-1. Both of those instances came during the third quarter but the biggest instance was on the Monarchs' final drive. On 3rd-and-10, Bullins found McNeil for nine yards on a hitch route on the right sideline. 
  • The Scots took the lead for good in the third quarter with an eight play, 89-yard drive to begin the third quarter. Jacob Bunch rushed for 22 yards on the first play of scrimmage in the second half and three plays later, Trevor Thomas found Pierre Watkins for a 49-yard completion to move the Scots all the way to the Monarchs' 13-yard line. 
  • However, it appeared that the Monarch defense would still get the stop by forcing an incompletion on 3rd-and-15 but a defensive pass interference call on the play gave Maryville new life and the Scots capitalized with a three-yard Bunch touchdown rush on the very next play.
  • Methodist opened the game with a 13-play drive that resulted in a made 30-yard Trevor Hargett field goal. Penalties on the drive negated two 20-plus yard gains but that would not stop Bullins as he completed passes of 22 and 18 to Jamaar Moore and McNeil to make up for yards lost.
  • Maryville topped the Monarchs' opening drive field goal with an opening drive touchdown, going 94 yards in 13 plays.
  • Following a Nate Jones interception early in the second quarter, the Monarchs scored a touchdown to take a 10-7 lead. In the drive, Bullins completed two passes for first downs on 3rd-and-9s and Howard converted another first down on 4th-and-1 before a one-yard Rashawn Green touchdown run.
  • The Monarchs added another field goal as time expired before halftime. Bullins was impressive running the two-minute drill, going 5-of-8 for 43 yards to set up the 26-yard Hargett field goal.

STAT FACTS
  • McNeil had a game-high seven receptions for 68 yards and Moore was right behind him with six catches for 61 yards. Vic Woods added four receptions for 53 yards.
  • Roderic Christian Jr. and Jake Allen each had a team-high 10 tackles, plus a sack. Allen also recovered a fumble. Nate Jones had eight tackles along with his interception.
  • Brandon Bagley was a force in the interior of the defensive line with eight tackles (one for a loss) and two forced fumbles.
  • The Scots defense stiffened up in the second half, forcing the Methodist offense to three 3-and-out (or 4-and-out), including on the Monarchs' final drive. Maryville also earned four sacks (six total) and an interception (Methodist's only turnover) in the final two quarters
  • Bunch carried the Maryville offense with 179 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 23 carries.
  • It was flags galore as each team was penalized 10 times. Methodist for 95 yards and the Scots for 80. A taunting call wiped a late Maryville touchdown off the board.

UP NEXT
  • The Monarchs look to recover from their heartbreaking loss on the road with an October 26, 1 p.m. date to visit conference rival Greensboro College.
  • Maryville earned its first conference win of the season and looks to continue that momentum at home against LaGrange College at 1 p.m. on October 26.
    
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