FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  With a convincing 35-23 win over visiting Averett University in USA South Athletic Conference action Friday evening, Methodist football improves to 2-0, its first 2-0 start since the 2013 season.

In the football home opener in front of 290 fans and the first game under the brand-new field lights at Monarch Stadium, Methodist impressed in all three phases. Brandon Bullins passed for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Tyquan Eaddy rushed for 86 yards and three touchdowns. The Monarch defense had three interceptions, including two by Josh Hill, and six tackles for a loss. Representing the special teams was Kobe Praylow with a punt return of 19 yards and a 33-yard kick return.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. Averett, 35-23
Records: Methodist 2-0 (1-0 USA South), Averett 0-2 (0-1)
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Monarchs outscored Averett 28-13 in the second half, including three straight touchdown drives. Bullins had Xzavier McNeil open across the middle for a 38-yard touchdown to kick off the third quarter and Eaddy found paydirt with a one-yard touchdown to cap an 11-play, 72-yard drive, putting Methodist ahead 21-10 in the third.
• "Catch Of The Game" goes to Tobias Johnson Jr. Johnson Jr. made an impressive diving 28-yard grab with his fingertips near the right pylon for the 28-17 fourth-quarter lead.
• With 7:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cougars scored a touchdown to make it a 28-23 game but their two-point conversion attempt failed. Eaddy slammed the door shut with a seven-yard touchdown run to put Methodist ahead 35-23 with 3:25 left. The touchdown was set up by Eaddy's 35-yard run on the previous play.
• The Cougars opened the second quarter with a ridiculous 16-play drive that spanned 92 yards and over nine minutes, but they were only able to come away with three points to cut the deficit to 7-3. Averett was able to score right before half and lead 10-7 into intermission because of a Methodist interception.
• Hill set the tone in the game with a pick and 17-yard return on Averett's first drive, slamming shut a 10-play Cougars possession. Five plays later, Eaddy scored on a rush from five yards out. The celebration for win #2 began immediately when Hill intercepted Averett again with less than two minutes remaining in the game.

STAT FACTS

• Eaddy needed only 13 carries for his 86 rushing yards (an average of 6.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns.
• McNeil led Methodist with 75 receiving yards and a touchdown on three receptions while Jamaar Moore led with five catches for 66 yards.
• DaQuinton Grady had a team-high 10 tackles while Roderic Christian Jr. and Nate Jones' six solo stops led in that category. Christian Jr.'s 2.5 tackles for a loss were also a team-high. Jones added two stops for a loss and an interception.
• The Monarchs achieved an 8-2 record in that 2013 campaign, their best finish since 1997. This win also snaps a six-game losing streak against the Cougars and the first home win against them since 2012. The Monarchs have also won consecutive games for the first time since 2016.
• At wide receiver for Averett, Isaiah Grace had two touchdowns on five catches for 58 yards.

UP NEXT

• A win over conference opponent North Carolina Wesleyan College on Saturday, March 20 in Rocky Mount, N.C. would give Methodist its first 3-0 start since the 2000 season. Kick-off scheduled for 12 p.m.
• Averett seeks its first win when league foe Greensboro College visits on March 20 for a 12 p.m. game.