MONTGOMERY, Ala.   After two weather delays and a total runtime of four-plus hours, host Huntingdon College defeated visiting Methodist football 48-7 in USA South Athletic Conference Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks took a 28-0 lead into halftime on their Homecoming Day after three Eric Thomas touchdown runs. The Monarchs' Nick Baker (one yard run) scored the team's lone touchdown on the day. It was a relatively quiet day offensively for Methodist, finishing with 243 yards of total offense. Vontre Howard led the team with 71 (36 rushing yards and 35 receiving yards on 15 touches) yards from scrimmage on the day.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final Score: Huntingdon def. Methodist, 48-7
Records: Methodist 1-2 (0-1 USA South), Huntingdon 2-2 (1-0)
Location: Montgomery, Ala; Charles Lee Field at Samford Stadium
Event: Huntingdon Homecoming

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs were finally able to string together a good drive with an eight play, 72-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Kobe Praylow took a kickoff 26 yards to give Methodist favorable field position and Brandon Bullins connected with Rashawn Green (28 yards) and Praylow (11 yards) for first downs before the Nick Baker touchdown.
• Special teams mishaps and turnovers derailed the Monarchs' first half. A blocked punt and a muffed punt return by Methodist led to a quick 14 points for the Hawks as Eric Thomas would score on the very first play of scrimmage each time. A mishandled kickoff in the second quarter caused a Monarch drive starting at their very own one-yard line resulting in a three-and-out.
• Following a weather delay and with 1:12 remaining in the second quarter, a costly Methodist interception allowed the Huntingdon to score another touchdown before half. Karl Dorn intercepted a pass in the short flats and returned it 32 yards to the Methodist five-yard line. Again, the Hawks scored a play later following a turnover.
• Big plays of 58 and 64 yards in the third quarter extended Huntingdon's lead to 41-0.

STAT FACTS

• Brandon Bullins, making his second career start went 13-of-26 for 170 yards.
• Baker had a team-high 43 rushing yards on 11 carries.
• Praylow led the team with 51 receiving yards on three receptions (also added 45 return yards) and Xzavier McNeil had 47 yards on a team-high four catches.
• Kelvin Waites and Roderic Christian Jr. led the defense with identical statlines of 10 tackles (six solo stops and four assisted takedowns). Nate Jones added four solo tackles and four assists for a total of eight stops.
• Average starting field position was not in the Monarchs' favor at all as their offense had drives start at their own 1-yard line and 8-yard line, plus three more drives that started below their own 20-yard line. Meanwhile, the Hawks had four drives start on the Methodist side of the field, including three drives starting in the redzone, resulting in 21 points.
• The Monarchs were outgained 19-9 in first downs.
• The two-pronged attack of Thomas (19 attempts, 97 rushing yards, and three touchdowns) and Kobe Smith (16 carries, 129 yards, and one touchdown) led Huntingdon in this win.

UP NEXT

• Methodist is home October 12 for its Play4Kay Breast Cancer Awareness game against conference foe Brevard College at 1 p.m.
• The Hawks are home again, this time to take on Maryville (Tenn.) College in conference action October 12 at 1 p.m. CDT.