JACKSON, Miss. Methodist University football traveled down to Belhaven University, on Saturday afternoon, for a USA South Athletic Conference game. The Blazers remain undefeated, both overall & in league play, after beating the Monarchs 45-10.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Belhaven def. Methodist, 45-10
Records: Methodist 1-6 (1-3 USA South), Belhaven 7-0 (5-0)
Location: Belhaven Bowl Stadium; Jackson, Mississippi
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Belhaven scored the first points of the contest on its opening possession, after Methodist started with the ball. A couple of big passes to Kolbe Blunt, 21 yards, and Cooper Tullo, 51 yards, set the Blazers up at the Monarchs five-yard line. Then a hand off to Blunt finished off the touchdown drive the very next play.
- A good kickoff return by Bryson Ausby allowed Methodist to start its next drive on its own 40-yard line. After getting one first down, the Monarchs faced a 4th and three at Belhaven's 37-yard line and decided to go for the first down. Methodist attempt failed, which forced a turnover on downs, and then seven plays later Tim Johnson completed a six yard pass to Bogan Brewer for the Blazers second touchdown.
- In the second quarter, a 47 yard punt by Belhaven pinned the Monarchs at their own 3-yard line. Following two runs plays, Methodist threw the ball and quarterback Brandon Bullins was intercepted by Josiah Raymond before stepping out of bounds at the Monarch 18-yard line. One play after the pick, Blount scampered into the end zone for his second touchdown and the Blazers third overall.
- On Methodist ensuing possession, the team originally punted the ball away due to a three-and-out but a roughing the kicker penalty gave the Monarchs a fresh set of downs. This allowed Bullins to move the offense down to Belhaven's 8-yard line after completing passes to A'Jani Mainer, KJ Hicklin, and Keyshaun Pete. Eventually, Methodist had to settle for a Samuel Andrae 18-yard field goal to secure its first points.
- After giving up a 49 yard kickoff return, the Monarch defense stood strong and held the Blazers to just three points, a Constan Hontzas 25 yarder, on their next drive.
- Before halftime, Craig Morton III gave Methodist one last chance to score points as he picked off Johnson at Belhaven's 33-yard line. Unfortunately, the Monarchs were unable to capitalize on the situation.
- On the Blazers first possession of the third quarter, Blount recorded his third rushing touchdown from four yards out. That play was setup following a 51-yard catch by KJ Hickman.
- The only other score of the third was when Devin Daniels registered the fourth rushing touchdown, his first, for Belhaven.
- The Blazers would get one more touchdown, in the fourth quarter, as backup quarterback Brock Morris hooked up with Zach Hammett on a 16-yard pass.
- Methodist backup QB Chase Carroll replaced Bullins in the quarter, and Carroll led the Monarchs on their only touchdown drive. A 93 yard, 12 play, march was capped off with Carroll finding Mikhail Baldwin on a six-yard score.
MORE TO IT
- For Carroll that was his first career touchdown pass.
- Methodist had more passing yards than Belhaven, 267 to 251, but the Blazers punished the Monarchs on the ground (232 to 49).
- The trio of DaQuinton Grady, Alex Boyd, and Omar Goodwin led Methodist defense with seven tackles, also game-high.
UP NEXT
Methodist heads back to Fayetteville for its annual homecoming game, Saturday, October 28, against North Carolina Wesleyan University. The game will be played under the lights with a 6 p.m. kickoff.
