Rocky Mount, N.C. - Playing its first home night game in program history, the Battling Bishop football team of North Carolina Wesleyan fell by a 40-19 score to Stevenson University in Saturday's season opener at Bishop Stadium. Jacques Alston recorded a 93-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and fellow senior James Wallace tallied a game-high 12 tackles, but it would not be enough to thwart the Mustangs' 468 yards of total offense.
Alston's kick return came on the heels of a Stevenson touchdown midway through the first quarter. Freshman Codan Breckenridge's extra point knotted the score a 7-7, but the tie was shortlived, however, as the Mustangs went on to score 14 unanswered points for a 21-7 advantage with 7:14 remaining in the first half.
Wesleyan's offense proceeded to put up its first points of the season on the ensuing drive. Sophomore Malik Adams' 60-yard kickoff return gave the Bishops excellent field position, and three plays later, quarterback Robbie Lanier found junior wideout John Young on a slant for a 17-yard scoring strike. A missed PAT would send the two teams into the half with Stevenson leading 21-13.
The Mustangs struck first in the second half on a 34-yard run by Trey Lee, but Lanier answered for the Bishops with a 61-yard TD pass to Adams down the right sideline. SU punched it in again on its next possession and later blocked a Bishops field goal attempt from 37 yards to maintain a 34-19 lead.
After forcing a Mustang punt on the game's next possession, Wesleyan drove down to the SU-7 and looked to make it a one possession game with 7:56 left in regulation. Unfortunately, the Bishops were unable to convert on 4th-and-goal, turning the ball over on downs. Stevenson later iced the game with a final score at the 1:59 mark.
Lanier finished 15-of-24 for 210 yards through the air and a pair of TDs. Adams caught four passes for 107 yards, while Young hauled in a team-high five receptions.
Wesleyan (0-1) travels to Lincoln University next Saturday for a 1:00pm contest.