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Methodist University Athletics

The Official Athletics Site of The Methodist University monarchs Methodist University monarchs
FBvGUIL Baker Nick
Dave Hilbert, D3photography.com
14
Catholic CAU 0-3
30
Winner Methodist University MUFB 1-1
Catholic CAU
0-3
14
Final
30
Methodist University MUFB
1-1
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
CAU Catholic 0 3 3 8 14
MUFB Methodist University 7 17 0 6 30

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

Number 1 in the Win Column!

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Behind the fire and ice duet of Nick Baker and Vontre Howard, Methodist football sprinted past visiting Catholic University, 30-14, Saturday afternoon in non-conference play.

Baker paced the Monarchs with a game-high 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries for an impressive 9.8 yards per rush. Howard added 98 yards and a touchdown and Methodist earned its first win of this young season. The Monarchs outgained the Cardinals in total offense (363 to 247) and first downs (21 to 18). The Methodist defense held Catholic to only 60 yards passing on 27 attempts.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Catholic, 30-14
Records: Methodist 1-1, Catholic 0-3
Location: Fayetteville, N.C.; Monarch Stadium

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • The Monarchs know how to make a statement to begin a game! On the first drive of the game, Gerrod Nobles laid a vicious hit on Bryan Melara and forced a fumble. Josh Hill recovered it for the Monarchs and Howard needed four rushes to punch it into the endzone for a touchdown.
  • At the start of the second quarter, after 10 plays and with Catholic at the Methodist 6, the Cardinals were forced to settle for a 23-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 7-3.
  • With 6:26 left in the second quarter, Baker followed his blockers and took a counter 42 yards, racing past defenders to give the Monarchs a 14-3 lead.
  • Three plays later, the Methodist defense gifted its offense another possession. Roderic Christian Jr. forced a fumble on Melara and Nate Jones came away with the recovery. Freshmen Brandon Bullins and Jamaar Moore connected on a 11-yard touchdown after previously connecting for 34 yards in the drive as Methodist took advantage of the turnover and extended the lead 20-3.
  • Trailing 24-3 late in the third quarter, a blocked punt gave the Cardinals possession at the Monarchs' 21. Instead of going for it on fourth down at the four-yard line, Catholic again opted for another short field goal (21-yarder).
  • Baker put the final punctuation on the game with a touchdown run with 8:24 remaining in the fourth quarter to put Methodist ahead 30-6. Baker ripped off gains of 10, 11, and 4 before a 9-yard touchdown. Moore put the Monarchs in the red zone with a 21-yard reception, making four Cardinals miss along the way.

STAT FACTS
  • Moore had six receptions for 93 yards and a touchdown, all game-highs.
  • Making his first collegiate start, Bullins went 14-of-26 for 142 yards and a touchdown.
  • Christian Jr. (five solo tackles) and Taj Outten (three solo) led the Monarchs with 10 total tackles each.
  • Nobles may be a cornerback but he was a force in the opposing backfield with two tackles for a loss, a sack, and the forced fumble (all team-highs). He also had a team-high two pass breakups.
  • It is only a matter of time before Kobe Praylow takes a return to the house for six. Last game, he had a kick return of 64 yards and this game, he returned a punt 48 yards.
  • Melara led the Cardinals with 92 yards and a touchdown on 18 rushes.

UP NEXT
Methodist has a bye week on September 28 before returning to action October 5 with a visit to Montgomery, Alabama, to take on Huntingdon College in the USA South Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT.
    
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