GREENSBORO, N.C.  Methodist University football was on the road in Greensboro, North Carolina, to play its first away game of the season, against Guilford College in non-conference action. Defense was on display by both teams and by the end of the game, the Quakers narrowly hanged onto a 14-12 victory over the Monarchs.

JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Guilford def. Methodist, 14-12
Records: Methodist 0-2, Guilford 2-0
Location: Armfield Athletic Center; Greensboro, North Carolina

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A low scoring first quarter with Guilford being the only team to score. Following a strip sack by the Quakers defense, quarterback Jaelan Brown launched a 62 yard touchdown pass to wide receiver JuJu Rice. A good point after touchdown (PAT) by Adriano De Castro would make it 7-0 for Guilford.
• In that first quarter, Methodist had two great chances to score some points. The first came after a fumble recovery by sophomore Dacarris Jacobs, which gave the Monarchs the ball at the Quakers six-yard line but then a fumble by Methodist quarterback Brennan Brucato allowed Guilford to regain possession. Later, the Monarchs drove down the field before stalling out at the 13-yard line of the Quakers. The field goal unit was sent out to attempt a 30 yarder but the kick would go wide right.
• On the ensuing Guilford drive following the missed field goal, the Quakers were marching down the field looking like they were going to score a touchdown, but then Jacobs of the Methodist defense picked off Brown near the goal line.
• It would be a couple of drives later before the Monarchs scored their first touchdown of the ballgame, on a Sajari Love two-yard plunge. Methodist started the drive at mid field and a few passes by Brucato to Love (25 yards) and Mikhail Baldwin (22) got the Monarchs down to Guilford's two-yard line. Even with the TD, Methodist would still trail as the PAT was missed, making the score 7-6.
• Following halftime, the Quakers scored again on a 15-play, 98 yard, drive that would also chew up eight and half minutes of clock. By the end of it, a two yard by Caleb Robles to Drew Winkler put Guilford up to a 14-6 advantage.
• Not too long after the start of the fourth quarter, the Monarchs were able to chip away at the deficit as Samuel Andrae made a 32-yard field goal, 14-9. Methodist originally punted the ball away on this drive but a roughing the kicker penalty on the Quakers gave the Monarchs a fresh set of downs.
• An additional Guilford miscue led to more Methodist points. The Monarchs were forced to punt the ball away on their next possession but then the ball touched the Quaker return, making it a live ball, and Methodist safety Caleb Kelly was the first person to secure the ball. Now starting at Guilford's 15-yard line, the Monarch only moved the ball nine yards before they sent Andrae back out to attempt a 29-yard field goal, which was good to make it 14-12.
• After that scoring drive, Methodist was unable to cross the 50 yard line during the final eight minutes of the game.

MORE TO IT

• Along with scoring the only touchdown for the Monarchs, Love accumulated 52 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards for 95 total yards of offense.
• Brucato, the Methodist QB, took a beating in the pocket as the Monarchs gave up eight sacks.
• Linebacker Omar Goodwin led the Methodist defense with 11 tackles (five solo) while Jacobs had a nice game as well with three tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception, and a pass break-up.  

UP NEXT
Methodist returns to Monarch Stadium next Saturday, September 21, to begin USA South Athletic Conference play, as the Monarchs host Greensboro College. Kickoff is scheduled for a 6 PM.