Rocky Mount, N.C. - North Carolina Wesleyan's football team hosted top-ranked University of Mount Union on Saturday at Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium, falling to the Purple Raiders by a 45-10 score. Despite the loss, senior wideout Malik Adams faired well against the defending DIII National Champions, hauling in a game-high 11 catches for 113 yards and a touchdown.
Both defenses came out strong in the opening quarter as the game remained scoreless over the first 15 mintues of play. The Raiders (1-0) proceeded to put up 21 points in the second quarter on a trio of rushing TDs. Wesleyan got on the board just before the half when senior kicker Christopher Richardson nailed a 34-yard field goal, capping a 13-play, 48-yard drive by the Bishops that made the score 21-3 at the half.
It was all Mount Union in the third quarter as the Raiders extended their lead to 35-3, but Wesleyan bounced back in the fourth with an 11-play, 75-yard drive that ended with sophomore quarterback Nathan Gardner hitting Adams in the endzone from 14 yards out. MU managed 10 points in the period, the final three coming on a 44-yard field goal by Alex Louthan that provided the 45-10 final.
Garner finished 20-of-42 through the air for 224 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. In addition to Adams, Trey Lancaster racked up 59 yards on three catches. Defensively, junior Jaylon Johnson led all players with 10 tackles.
Running back Bradley Mitchell did most of the damage for the Raiders, rushing for 146 yards and a touchdown. Conversely, MU's defense limited the Bishop ground-game to just 51 rushing yards on the day.
The Bishops (0-2) close out non-conference play next Saturday at Shenandoah University. Kickoff is slated for 1:00pm.