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FBvAver 210312 Patterson
24
Winner Methodist University MUFB 3-0, 2
9
N.C. Wesleyan NCW 0-2, 0
Winner
Methodist University MUFB
3-0, 2
24
Final
9
N.C. Wesleyan NCW
0-2, 0
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
MUFB Methodist University 3 7 0 14 24
NCW N.C. Wesleyan 7 0 2 0 9

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

Khalil Patterson Puts Defense on Display in Win

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.  The Methodist defense was brilliant Saturday afternoon, delivering several clutch stops for a 24-9 victory over host North Carolina Wesleyan University in USA South Athletic Conference football action.

The Monarch defense had six sacks, an interception, forced five turnover-on-downs, and held N.C. Wesleyan to 3-of-15 on third downs, 42 yards rushing on 30 attempts, and 12-of-34 passing. Altogether, the Battling Bishops had eight trips inside Methodist territory and scored just a touchdown.

Khalil Patterson had four sacks, the most by a Monarch in a single game since October 2012. His four sacks in one game are also more than any Monarch has had in a season since 2016.

THE ESSENTIALS
Final score: Methodist def. N.C. Wesleyan, 24-9
Records: Methodist 3-0 (2-0 USA South), N.C. Wesleyan 0-2 (0-1)
Location: Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium; Rocky Mount, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED
  • Ahead 10-9 after surrendering a safety, the Monarchs finally had some success with a pivotal 13-play, 91-yard touchdown drive with under 10 minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Starting at his own 9-yard line, Brandon Bullins completed three straight passes to Xzavier McNeil (nine yards) and Jamaar Moore (10 and 22 yards) to move to the 50-yard line. Methodist converted three third downs on the drive before Bullins hit Moore with a five-yard strike for the touchdown.
  • Now holding an eight-point edge in the final period, the Methodist defense preserved the win by forcing consecutive three-and-outs before an Alex Boyd interception on N.C. Wesleyan's last drive. With 2:13 on the clock, Keyshaun Pete essentially guaranteed a Methodist victory with a 16-yard touchdown run for the 24-9 score.
  • The biggest stops by the Monarchs came earlier in the second half. After a Methodist safety and the ensuing kickoff, the Battling Bishops' chance to take the lead started at the Methodist 41-yard line. After advancing to the Monarchs' 17, Patterson came away with a first down sack to force a 2nd-and-17 and another sack on third down, leading to an eventual turnover-on-downs. Still trailing 10-9 in the fourth quarter, another Battling Bishops' drive resulted in a punt on 4th-and-9 at the Monarchs' 29.
  • The Methodist defense was just as clutch in the first half, forcing four turnover-on-downs, including three consecutive such stops to close the second quarter. The Battling Bishops stalled out at the Monarchs' 13, 20, and 28-yard lines, plus a failed fake punt on 4th-and-13 at the 50.
  • Nate Jones may have had the save of the game when he forced Traveon Roberts out of bounds for "just" a 60-yard gain. Jones prevented what would have been an 80-yard touchdown by pushing Roberts out at the 20-yard line. Four plays later, the Monarch offense was taking the field after their defense forced the turnover-on-downs.
  • The Battling Bishops' touchdown in the first quarter was bookended by a Methodist field goal and a Methodist touchdown. Trevor Hargett's 28-yard field goal was the first points of the game and Tyquan Eaddy scored a touchdown for the Monarchs with a two-yard rush early in the second quarter. The Monarchs found themselves in the red zone after a 24-yard completion from Brandon Bullins to Kobe Praylow. The N.C. Wesleyan touchdown was set up by a 38-yard kick return after Hargett's field goal.
STAT FACTS
  • Bullins finished 24-of-34 through the air with 206 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. Moore was his leading receiver with eight receptions, 75 yards, and a touchdown. McNeil had six catches for 52 yards.
  • Rushing, Pete had 66 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries and Eaddy had 51 yards and a touchdown on 16 rushes.
  • Patterson also led with five total tackles. Boyd had two sacks, plus four tackles and the interception. Justin Hood had three tackles for a loss, totaling 17 yards.
  • In the secondary, Tyler Brown had a team-high five pass breakups and Josh Hill had four tackles and three pass breakups. 
  • At wide receiver for N.C. Wesleyan, Jai Irvin had five catches for 98 yards and a touchdown (15-yard reception from Storm Yarbrough).
UP NEXT
  • A win Friday, March 26 at 6 p.m. when the Monarchs host Greensboro College would move Methodist to a 3-0 conference record and clinch its berth into the USA South Athletic Conference Championship as the representative for the East Division. 
  • The Battling Bishops host Averett University in league play on Saturday, March 27 at 12 p.m.
    
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