Maryville, Tenn. - The Maryville College Fighting Scots amassed 489 total offensive yards en route to a 34-13 victory over USA South foe North Carolina Wesleyan College on Saturday afternoon on MC's Honaker Field.
MC took very little time to light up the scoreboard. Their opening drive went 51 yards before Travis Felder fumbled at the Wesleyan 11 yard line as the Scots were ready to score. Maryville's defense held the Bishops deep in their territory and the ensuing punt gave the Scots the ball on the NCW 48. An 18 yard run by Felder was fumbled on the Wesleyan 35, but a hustling Eric Sisson kept the drive alive with a key recovery. Two plays later Chad Brooks dashed 15 yards for the first score of the game. Jonathan Sykes' kick was good and the Scots led 7-0 with 9:47 remaining in the first quarter.
Each team's defense battled for field possession as the quarter began to wind down. On a key third down and one, MC's signal caller Evan Pittenger stretched out for a Scots first down to end the first period and sustain a drive on the Bishop's 30 yard line. Quarterback Eric Sisson promptly hit Felder for a nine yard gain and Ed Johnson for a 15 yard scoring pass to put MC up by a pair of scores.
Wesleyan looked to answer on their next possession. Following a 27 yard kickoff return by Jamal Smith, the Bishops marched 55 yards in 11 plays to the Scots' one yard line. MC's Zach Capehart and Dylan Wolfenbarger stuffed Laron Ellerbee at the goal line to turn the ball over on downs.
MC's Felder lost his third fumble of the half when trying to get MC out of the shadow of their own end zone. Wesleyan's James Wallace scooped up the miscue to give them the ball on MC's three yard line. Jacques Alston took the next hand off to the house to give NCW their first score. B.G. Howell's kick made the score 14-7 with 8:11 remaining in the half.
The Scots closed out the half missing a 42 yard field goal before Jonathan Sykes connected on a 26 yarder just before the intermission. At the half, Maryville led 17-7.
Wesleyan began the second half with a vengeance returning the kickoff to midfield. A 17 yard pass from John Jackson to Te'Sean Glass put the ball on the MC 20. A penalty put the ball on the six before Jacques Alston scampered six yards for the score capping a six play, 48 yard scoring drive on their first possession. Howell's kick failed and the score was 17-13 with 12:35 remaining in the third quarter.
MC answered with a 10 play, 77 yard scoring drive that featured strong running by E.J. Heard-Hunt and Chad Brooks. The 4:31 drive ended when Chad Brooks crossed the goal line from nine yards out at the 8:04 mark. Sykes' conversion game Maryville a 24-13 lead.
As the Bishops looked to cut the lead, a quarterback hurry by Ronnie Wright and an interception by senior Kane Crowell at misfield stalled Wesleyan's effort.
Following a battle for field possession and an exchange of punts, Wesleyan sustained another drive deep into MC's territory. On a key fourth down and three yards to go, Maryville's Dylan Wolfenbarger and Zack Brown stopped Jacques Alston short to turn the ball over on downs.
Maryville's following drive would close out the third quarter.
As Wesleyan opened its initial drive of the final quarter, MC's Gabe Johnson forced a fumble and Jonathan Clark scooped up the ball and returned it to the Wesleyan 30 yard line. As the drive stalled, Jonathan Sykes split the uprights with a 25 yard field goal to give MC a 27-13 lead with 12:24 left in the game.
The following Wesleyan possession featured a sack by Maryville Joshua Krebs and an ensuing quarterback hurry by Krebs. Maryville capitalized on their field position and marched 64 yards in the next nine plays for a score. A 15 yard reception by Jared Miller, a 14 yard reception by J.T. Ostrowski, a 10 yard rush by E.J. Heard-Hunt, and a 14 yard run by Felder put MC on the doorstep. Felder plunged toward pay dirt from three yards out to complete the scoring drive. Sykes' kick finished the scoring for the day making the score 34-13.
Wesleyan (2-7, 1-5 USA South) ran for 120 yards on the day that featured Jacques Alston's 47 yards on 13 carries. John Jackson was 13-for-32 for 77 yards on the day, with Alston hauling in four passes for 26 yards.
Defensively, Jeffrey Stevenson had a fumble recovery while leading Wesleyan with ten total tackles. Ed Harrington and Gerald Wells each had a nose for the ball with nine stops each.
Maryville (5-4, 4-2 USA South) rushed for 293 yards collectively behind Chad Brooks' 91 yards on 16 carries and two touchdowns. Travis Felder added 55 yards while Eric Sisson and E.J. Heard-Hunt dashed for 62 and 55 yards respectively. Sisson was also 13-for-23 via the air for 159 yards.
Defensively, MC held the Bishops to 217 total yards. Dylan Wolfenbarger broke up a pass and recorded a dozen tackles, while Kane Crowell hauled in an interception and made nine stops.
Wesleyan will host Averett University in their season finale. Kickoff is slate for 1:00pm at the Northern Nash Football Complex, and the Bishops will be honoring their 2012 seniors prior to the game.