Big Second Half Lifts Hawks over Bishops in League Action, 41-30

Darian Curley
Darian Curley

Montgomery, Ala. - In Saturday's USA South football action, Huntington College reeled off 31 unanswered points in the second half to score a come-from-behind 41-30 victory over North Carolina Wesleyan in Montgomery. The Bishops, who led 28-10 early in the third quarter, saw the Hawks connect on touchdown passes from 61, 33, and 56 yards in the third and fourth quarters to erase the deficit and tally the league win.

Wesleyan had taken a 21-10 lead into the break thanks to big first half from junior running back Darian Curley. Curley notched a career-best 65-yard TD run in the opening quarter to give NCWC a 14-0 advantage, and he later rumbled in from six yards out to complete the Bishops' first half scoring. The Bishops looked to be in control early in the third when junior quarterback Nate Gardner connected with wideout Ty-Traveon Roberts for a 78-yard scoring strike and 28-10 lead, but Huntingdon stunned the Wesleyan sideline with 31 straight unanswered points to go up 41-28 down the stretch. A Bishop safety would eventually seal the 41-30 final.

Curley finished with 195 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns. Gardner threw for a season-high 278 yards and tallied a rushing score of his own, but a pair of picks would work to the Hawks' advantage. Defensively, Marcus Leggett racked up nine tackles, including 1.5 for a loss.

Wesleyan returns home to Rocky Mount Athletic Stadium to host Maryville College next Saturday at 1:00pm. The Bishops will be recognizing Youth Day and have plans for several give-aways and door prizes for kids in attendance.