GREENSBORO, N.C. Methodist football were under the lights this evening on Saturday September 10^th. In a non-conference road bout, the Monarchs took on Guilford College and made it their statement game. Methodist defeated the Quakers 49-16 at Armfield Athletic Center.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Guilford, 49-16
Records: Methodist 1-1, Guilford 1-1
Location: Armfield Athletic Center; Greensboro, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Guilford won the toss and choose to receive the ball, a rarity in football these days. At the time, it looked to be the correct move for the Quakers as they moved the ball down the field to the Monarchs 7-yard line. A false start and four straight incompletions resulted in no points and gave Methodist the ball.
• The Monarchs began their first drive of the contest deep in their own territory but that did not fazed Methodist at all. Starting quarterback Brandon Bullins and the offense went to work as Bullins found his receiver KJ Hicklin twice for some big gains, 22- and 31-yard completions. Senior running back Tyquan Eaddy finished it off with a touchdown from a yard out to put the Monarchs up 7-0.
• The next Guilford possession did not last long as Quakers quarterback, Bailey Baker, would be picked off by senior linebacker Roderic Christian Jr. The turnover led to Methodist points with Bullins finding Mikhail Baldwin in the end zone for the second week in a row.
• With the first quarter coming to a close, Guilford was in a 14-0 hole and the momentum stayed in favor of the Monarchs. On the ensuing kickoff, Isiah McMullens punched the ball out of the bread basket of the return man and it was Methodist who pounced on the ball first to gain control again. Two passes later Bullins connected with Kobe Praylow on a 21-yard strike to increase the lead to 21-0.
• Finally the Quakers got the ball again and made some solid movement with their offense. Guilford made it to the Monarchs 30-yard line before having to face a 4^th and 18. With the deficit the Quakers were already in, they decided to go for it but that plan backfired when safety Josh Hill snagged the second Methodist interception of the contest.
• Before the teams went to their respective locker rooms at the half, Eaddy punched in another 1-yard rush for a touchdown and a halftime score of 28-0. Eaddy would run for his third touchdown of the game late in the third quarter to push it to 35-0.
• Guilford broke the shutout with their first points of the night before the third frame came to a close. After a few short yard runs, Bailey went for it all on a deep pass and found his wideout Tre Alexander on a 58-yard play. They kept the kicker on the sideline and decided to go for two down big. The conversion was successful to make it a 35-8 affair.
• The fourth quarter saw the Monarchs outscore the Quakers 14-8 to get to the 49-16 final. The final two Methodist touchdowns were to Ryan Steele and Keyshaun Pete. For Steele, his 1-yard grab in the end zone was his first collegiate touchdown catch for the young freshman. Pete joined running mate Eaddy in the rushing touchdown category after a 26-yard sprint.

MORE TO IT

• The Monarch offense looked much better compared to their week one loss. Methodist finished with 530 total yards, 206 rushing and 324 passing, and averaged eight yards a play.
• With the lob sided score, it is no surprise that the Monarchs controlled time of possession (36 minutes and 46 seconds) over Guilford (23:14). Though some may think the opposite if you look at 3^rd down conversions. The Quakers converted 9 of 15 (60%) 3^rd downs while Methodist were only successful on 40% (4 of 10) of those plays.
• Shining on defense tonight was McMullens, who had a game-high eight solo tackles and a force fumble. DaQuinton Grady matched McMullens in total tackles with eight (six solo and two assisted).  

UP NEXT
Methodist is back in Monarch Stadium on Saturday, September 17^th, for their Military Appreciation game. Coming to Fayetteville is Washington and Lee University with a 1 PM kickoff time.