FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  After Hurricane Dorian delayed the start of the season for Methodist football, the Monarchs were finally able to kick things off Saturday with the season opener at home against Guilford College in non-conference action. Unfortunately, it was the visiting Quakers that left Monarch Stadium with the win, holding off the Monarchs 19-14, Saturday afternoon.

The two teams finished the game evenly matched statistically. Methodist held a slight edge in total offense with 373 yards compared to Guilford's 356 while each team gained 20 first downs. The Monarchs were much better converting third downs (seven-of-18) than the Quakers (three-of-16) but Guilford converted four-of-five on fourth down while Methodist was unable to convert either of its two fourth downs attempts.

Ultimately though, it was turnovers (six total) that doomed the Monarchs as Methodist threw interceptions on three consecutive drives to end the game while trailing 19-14.

Vontre Howard, the reigning USA South Offensive Player of the Year, picked up right where he left off last season for the Monarchs, with 141 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries in his 2019 debut.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Guilford def. Methodist, 19-14
Records: Methodist 0-1, Guilford 1-1
Location: Fayetteville, N.C.; Monarch Stadium

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Nate Jones and the Methodist defense allowed only 12 points off of the six turnovers. Twice, Jones came away with interceptions in the end zone with Guilford owning a first-and-goal situation. 
• Things could not have started better for the Monarchs as they went eight plays for 75 yards on their first drive of the season. Howard had runs of 10,17, and 20 in the drive before walking in for an eight-yard touchdown.
• The Quakers countered with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Alex Manley to Evan Carnes in their first possession.
• Trailing 7-6, Desmond McDowell took the lead for the Quakers with a 36-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. McDowell extended that lead to 19-6 with a two-yard touchdown run following a Methodist interception.
• The biggest moment is a play that never officially counted. On the first play from scrimmage following McDowell's second touchdown, Howard erupted down the left sideline en route to an 83-yard touchdown. However, a holding penalty took the six points off the board and placed the Monarchs at their own nine-yard line before eventually punting.
• Brandon Bullins gave Methodist a jolt in the second half in relief. He led the Monarchs to a touchdown in his first drive in the third quarter, connecting with Tariq Davis for a 52-yard bomb before Howard finished the drive with another eight-yard touchdown to cut the score to 19-14.
• The last three drives of the fourth quarter for Monarchs stalled out at the Methodist 48, the Methodist 41, and Guilford's 38.

STAT FACTS

• Xzavier McNeil led with a game-high seven receptions with a team-high 96 receiving yards.
• Brandon Bullins completed six passes for 133 yards while Steve Keoni went 11-of-22 for 75 yards.
• Jones had a game-high 12 total tackles and seven solo stops. He also recorded a sack, a pass breakup, along with the two interceptions.
• Andrew Bradshaw and Jake Allen feasted on the Guilford offensive line, combining for six tackles for a loss and a sack.
• Kobe Praylow had the perfect response following a Quaker touchdown--a 64-yard kick return.
• Guilford's Jermaine Russell had a game-high 106 receiving yards on six receptions.
• KeAndre Buyna caught interceptions on two consecutive drives to seal the game for the Quakers. He also had four tackles and forced a fumble that was recovered by Guilford.

UP NEXT
The Monarchs host Catholic (D.C.) University (0-2) Saturday, September 21 at 1 p.m. in Monarch Stadium.