MONTGOMERY, Ala. For the first time in series history, the Methodist football team held the Hawks of Huntingdon College under 30 points, conceding a total of 26 points in what was the first USA South clash of the season for both sides on Saturday. However, Methodist's success on the defensive side of the ball was not replicated by the offense, as the Monarchs struggled to move the ball and were held to no points on the afternoon.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Huntingdon def. Methodist, 26-0
Records: Methodist 1-3 (0-1 USA South), Huntingdon 2-2 (1-0 USA South)
Location: Samford Stadium; Montgomery, Alabama
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist received the opening kickoff and after an eight–play drive was forced to punt. On Huntingdon's first possession, quarterback Jake White picked up 12 yards with his legs to start the drive. White tried to run again on the second play but lost the football, resulting in a fumble recovery by Lavon Aiken at Methodist's 46–yard line. The Monarchs quickly gave the ball back though when Methodist quarterback Ty Little was sacked on the third play of the ensuing drive and fumbled.
- The Hawks made the most of their second drive, trekking from their own 48 all the way to the endzone across eight plays, capping the drive off with a nine–yard rush to take a 7–0 lead with 4:49 left in the first quarter.
- Huntingdon got the ball back early in the second quarter and wasted no time, scoring on a 70–yard touchdown pass to go up by two scores. A failed extra–point attempt made the score 13–0 with 13:49 to go in the half. Methodist's subsequent possession stalled after just three plays, and a 25–yard punt gave the Hawks the ball on the Methodist 46–yard line. Following two plays for no gain, a 46–yard touchdown catch pushed Huntindgon's lead to 19–0.
- The Monarchs started a new drive with 58 seconds left before halftime and advanced past midfield when Colin Fay hauled in a 46–yard completion. Back–to–back incompletions and a sack for a four–yard loss forced Methodist to attempt a 52–yard field goal, which came up wide right.
- Extending its lead in the third quarter, Huntingdon scored on a 21–yard rush to punctuate a 10–play drive that bled more than nine minutes off the clock. The Hawks truly dominated possession in the second half, with Methodist recording just three possessions that totaled six minutes and 22 seconds.
MORE TO IT
- The Hawks were able to have their way on the ground, averaging 4.4 yards per carry and netting a total of 189 rushing yards. The Monarchs conversely netted just five total rushing yards due to Huntingdon's stout defensive unit that produced 17 tackles for a loss. Six of those plays for a loss of yards were sacks on the quarterback.
- Huntingdon saw a 50% success rate on third down, converting seven of 14 attempts. Meanwhile, the Monarchs were 1–for–15 on third–down conversions.
- Junior defensive end Cam'Ron Webster had an impressive day, posting career highs with six total tackles and a game–high four tackles for a loss.
UP NEXT
Methodist is back at home on Saturday, Oct. 11 when the Monarchs host the LaGrange College Panthers (3–1, 1–0 USA South). Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. in Monarch Stadium.
