Ferrum, Va. - The Battling Bishop football team posted a 27-13 USA South victory over Ferrum College on Saturday, wrapping up the 2016 season at 5-4 and securing the program's first overall winning record since 2010. Wesleyan completes conference play with a 4-2 mark, giving the Bishops a runner-up finish behind co-champions Huntingdon and Maryville.
Ferrum opened up a 6-0 advantage early in the second quarter thanks to 42- and 36-yard field goals by Chase Deaton. Bishop sophomore QB Nathan Gardner, however, got Wesleyan's offense rolling midway the second, tossing a trio of touchdowns to senior wideout Malik Adams to give NCWC a 21-6 lead at the half.
Senior Christopher Richardson booted home field goals from 29- and 27-yards in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, sandwiching a Panther touchdown early in the fourth to provide the 27-13 final.
Gardner finished 22-of-36 for for 282 yards and the trio of TDs, while freshman Deandre Gillis anchored the run game with 91 yards on 17 carries. Adams, who holds every Bishop receiving record in existence, wrapped up his stellar career by tying his personal best for receptions in a game with 11. He finishes with a USA South and NCWC career record 47 touchdown catches and 3,861 receiving yards.
In addition to Adams and Richardson, the game also marked the end of the careers of defensive standouts Michael Clemmons and Rakeem Cooper. Clemmons racked up a team-high seven tackles, while Cooper added 1.5 sacks to up his career tally to 17.5 which is second all-time. Seniors Bobby Tucker and Jarius Thompson added a trio of stops.
Other seniors wrapping up their Wesleyan tenures include Johnnie Benton, Curtis Biscoe, Jevon Jones, Bryan McCullough, Devonte Mizell, Gerrel Patton, and Shebrae Riddick.