FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.  Methodist University football hosted Southern Virginia University on Saturday, September 23, as both squads began USA South Athletic Conference play. Despite trailing for majority of the game, the Monarchs erased a 14-point deficit and came away with a 27-21 overtime win inside Monarch Stadium.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Methodist def. Southern Virginia, 27-21 (overtime)
Records: Methodist 1-3, Southern Virginia 0-4
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Following a three-and-out by Methodist, Southern Virginia scored on its opening drive. A couple of long runs by the Knights eventually got them to the Monarchs three-yard line. From there Southern Virginia's quarterback Lachlan Haacke kept the ball on an option play for the touchdown and then a Jarom Reed point after touchdown attempt gave them a 7-0 lead.
• On the ensuing kickoff, Methodist got a 14-yard return before fumbling the ball and making the recovery for the Knights was Kolby Knight at the Monarchs 24-yard line. Methodist defense held strong though by not allowing Southern Virginia to score on that possession and forced a turnover on downs.
• Late in the first quarter the Knights had the ball inside their own 30-yard line and were facing a fourth and two. Southern Virginia tried to convert the fourth down but seniors Alex Boyd and Andrew Bradshaw of the Monarchs teamed up on the tackle to prevent the first down and get the ball back to their offense.
• Two plays later Methodist wideout A'Jani Mainer caught a 16-yard pass from Brandon Bullins for the touchdown. Samuel Andrae trotted out and made the PAT to tie the game at 7-7.
• The Knights went to work as soon as they got the ball back from the Monarchs. Southern Virginia traveled 65 yards, on 13 plays, down the field for it second touchdown of the game on a one-yard run by Walter Collins. The Knights would go up 14-7 after the made kick by Reed.
• Halfway through the third quarter Southern Virginia doubled its lead following a successful hook & ladder play. Haacke completed a short pass to Jake Schenk and then Isaac McMullin received the pitch from Schenk. McMullin took it the rest of the way down the sideline for an 80-yard touchdown. This gave the Knights a 21-7 advantage after the made PAT by Reed.
• With less than five minutes left on the clock in regulation time, Methodist still found itself down 21-7. The Monarchs cut it down to a one score affair when Bullins connected with Andre Wilson on a 13-yard touchdown reception.
• Southern Virginia went three-and-out on its next drive and punted back to Methodist. With 1:42 left, the Monarchs marched down 75 yards and scored an 18-yard touchdown pass from Bullins to Anthony Melvin. Andrae kicked the PAT throught to knot the score up at 21-21 with six seconds left on the clock.
• In overtime, the Knights were on offense first after Methodist elected to go on defense. Eventually Southern Virginia had to send out its field goal unit for a 32-yard attempt. The kick was no good as it missed to the right.
• Methodist got its turn on offense now. Six plays later freshman Sajari Love was handed the ball, where he ran up the middle to the end zone from nine-yards out and put the finishing touches on the Monarchs comeback.

MORE TO IT

• Methodist run game was paced by senior Keyshaun Pete as he ran for a season-high 155 yards on 31 carries.
• Having a great defensive game for the Monarchs was Bradshaw. He had eight tackles with 3.5 of them going for a loss and a QB hurry.

UP NEXT
Methodist wraps up the month of September with a trip to Alabama. The Monarchs head to Huntingdon College for another USA South bout with kickoff scheduled for 1 PM central time.