FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. Methodist football opened its 2026 season under the lights Friday night, hosting Shenandoah University in a non-conference matchup at Monarch Stadium. The Monarchs were unable to keep pace with the Hornets, falling 30–3 in the season opener.
JUST THE FACTS
Final score: Shenandoah def. Methodist, 30-3
Records: Methodist 0-1, Shenandoah 1-0
Location: Monarch Stadium; Fayetteville, North Carolina
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Methodist put together a promising opening drive, advancing to the Shenandoah 38-yard line before a tipped pass was intercepted by the Hornets and returned 62 yards for the game's opening touchdown.
- Shenandoah doubled its advantage on its first offensive possession, marching 70 yards on nine plays. The drive was capped by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Mekhi Brown to Jackson McFarland to make it 14–0.
- The Monarchs answered early in the second quarter with a field goal. A 14-yard rush by senior Chris Clark, along with a pair of completions from Asa Windham to Colin Fay, moved Methodist into Shenandoah territory and down to the 23-yard line. Junior kicker Ethan Emery then connected on a 40-yard field goal, setting a new career long and putting Methodist on the board.
- The Hornets added another touchdown before halftime to take a 20–3 lead. Following a punt return that gave Shenandoah possession in Monarch territory, the Hornets connected on a 19-yard pass before Aidan McCloskey capped the drive with a 21-yard touchdown run.
- Both teams opened the second half with punts, but Methodist quickly regained possession when junior safety Zack Griffin intercepted Brown at midfield. Griffin returned the pick 16 yards, setting up the Monarch offense at the Shenandoah 34-yard line.
- Methodist was unable to capitalize on the turnover and eventually sent Emery out for a 34-yard field-goal attempt. The kick was blocked by the Hornets, keeping the score at 20–3.
- Later in the third quarter, McCloskey broke free for a 44-yard run into Methodist territory. Shenandoah then turned to Bryce Buchanan for four consecutive rushing attempts, with the final carry resulting in a six-yard touchdown run to extend the Hornets' lead to 27–3.
- Shenandoah added a 35-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to account for the final margin of 30–3 before running out the final nine minutes to secure the victory.
MORE TO IT
- Clark turned in a strong performance in his first game as a Monarch, rushing for 67 yards on 10 carries while averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
- Fay and Tyrone Atkinson Jr. led Methodist with four receptions apiece. Fay finished with 37 receiving yards, while Atkinson Jr. totaled 31 yards.
UP NEXT
Methodist begins a three-game road stretch next Saturday, traveling to Guilford College for another non-conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM.
