FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College Football team rolled to a 48-24 win over rival Methodist University on the road Saturday afternoon improving to 4-4 on the season.
The Bishops stormed out to a 28-17 lead at halftime behind three rushing touchdowns and a 92-yard kick return TD from junior WR Kevin Alford in the first quarter. Alford's return came right after MU opened the game with a 10-play scoring drive. Wesleyan would then use two rushing TDs from junior RB Jeff Black and another from freshman RB Javun Thomas to take that 11-point halftime edge.
The Bishops would then increase their lead to 48-17 midway through the fourth by scoring on 3 passing touchdowns in the second half while holding the Monarchs (3-4, 2-3) to just 7 second-half points.
OFFENSE
Sophomore WR Tyler Roberts first caught a 41-yard TD pass from senior QB Donielle Totten to complete a 61-yard drive to start the third while fellow sophomore WR Jai Irvin caught a 5-yard TD pass from Totten just a few minutes later making it 41-17. Roberts then finished off the Bishop scoring by securing his second TD of the day as he caught a 30-yard pass from Totten early in the fourth.
Wesleyan piled up 427 yards of total offense with nearly 250 of those yards coming on the ground led by Black's 119 yards and 2 scores and Thomas' 104 yards and a score. Totten then threw for 180 yards with Roberts totaling 107 yards on 3 receptions.
DEFENSE
Senior middle linebacker and captain Antonio Johnson then continued his impressive season by securing 17 total tackles including 9 solo along with a 72-yard interception return. He also forced a Methodist fumble and made 4 tackles for loss to lead the Bishops.
Senior safety Christian Shaw also plaeyd well tallying double-digit tackles with 14 and 8 solo along with a half sack and a pass breakup. Defensive Lineman R.J. Smalls also recorded two sacks, forced a fumble while making 3 tackles on the afternoon. Defensive Backs Leo Guzman and senior Marcus Leggett also combined for 11 tackles while senior LB Nathyn Frantz added 5 tackles and one for a 5-yard loss.
The Bishops (4-4, 3-2) return to action next Saturday with their final road game of the season as they make the long trip to Alabama to battle conference leader Huntingdon College (6-2, 5-0) at 2 PM.