ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. - The NC Wesleyan College Football team fell to rival Methodist University 24-9 at home on Saturday from the Vernon T. Bradley Practice Complex.
Methodist got to a quick 3-0 lead in the first quarter after a 9-play drive. The Bishops then came right back finishing off a quick 3-play 52-yard drive with a 15-yard TD strike from QB Storm Yarbrough to WR Jai Irvin that gave Wesleyan a 7-3 lead after one quarter. The touchdown was set up by a 37-yard throw from Yarbrough to junior WR Kevin Alford on the drive.
Methodist then went on an 8-play 65-yard drive of their own to take a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. The score would remain 10-7 until the third quarter when a terrific punt from Bishop punter Chase Corey traveled 50 yards over the head of a MU returner. As he attempted to pick up the ball at the five, multiple Bishops chased him towards the goal line where he would eventually run out of his end zone giving Wesleyan the 2-point safety. The safety cut Methodist's lead to 10-9 with 7:38 to play in the third.
Unfortunately for NCWC, that would be as close as they would get as MU would go on to score two fourth quarter touchdowns for the 15-point win.
Irvin led the receiving corps with 98 yards on 5 receptions while senior WR Ty'Traveon Roberts also garnered 60 yards on one catch while senior RB Jeff Black totaled 36 yards on the ground.
Defensively, Wesleyan was led by freshman cornerback Benyon Williams who made 11 tackles while freshman linebacker James Hayden recorded 7 tackles and an interception. Sophomore linebacker Luke Moorhead also made 7 tackles along with a tackle for loss while senor DE Rasheed Rizk registered 6 tackles.
Wesleyan falls to 0-2 on the season while Methodist improves to 3-0 overall and 0-2 in the conference. The Bishops return to action next Saturday when they remain home to host Averett at 12 Noon.