BUENA VISTA, Va. Scoring 36-points, and totaling 461-yards of
total offense, the Southern Virginia football team scored a win
over Guilford, 36-21, on Homecoming Weekend for the Knights. Led by
226-yards through the air from Zach Garner, and
touchdown catches from Dewayne
Beamon, Brick
Wilce and Barend Hancock
III, the Knights jumped to a big lead at the end of the first
half, and never looked back, as they scored a win for the first
time against an ODAC team. The win for the Knights also represented
the first win in program history over Guilford.
SVU took the lead in the first quarter, as Garner connected with
Beamon for a 24-yard pass. Garner had led a quick strike drive, as
the Knights went 4-plays for 58-yards in 1:15, culminating in
Beamon's third touchdown reception of the year. Things bogged down
for both teams throughout the majority of the first quarter, but
Guilford was able to even the score with three minutes left in the
quarter. A 19-yard touchdown pass got the Quakers back to even with
the hosts, but it would be the closest they would be for the
remainder of the game.
Hancock's touchdown reception at the 10:57 mark of the second
quarter gave the Knights a lead that would not be relinquished for
the remainder of the game. The 6-play, 69-yard drive was the
longest scoring drive of the afternoon for the Knights, coming in
at 2:26.
The Knight's offense was clicking, and the running game was a
solid component for the first time in the season. Steven Scott led
the Knights in rushing as he scored two touchdowns, and racked up
84-yards on 13-carries. Scott busted off a 61-yard touchdown score
in the third quarter to break the backs of the Quakers.
The first half finished with Guilford scoring a touchdown, and
then a continuation of SVU history, as the PAT was blocked by Byron
Tillery, and Chad
John picked up the ball for a 97-yard 2-point touchback. The
score was now 23-13, and SVU had made history with a blocked kick
in four consecutive games.
Scott's run midway through the third quarter put the game out of
reach for the Quakers, and kept the momentum with the hosts.
Guilford did not quit, and a 3-play 45-yard drive ended with a
touchdown for the visitors, but the 2-point PAT failed.
After stopping Guilford deep in their territory, Scott finished
off the game with a 4-yard touchdown run. The scoring was not
finished, as another special teams rarity occurred with another
blocked PAT returned for the 2-point touchback. The scoring would
end there at 36-21.
The 461-yards on offense was the highest total of the season,
and Garner's 226-yards through the air was his second highest after
the 258-yard performance against Bridgewater a week ago. Scott's
two touchdowns represented the first time an SVU player has
registered more than one score on the ground this season.
Defensively, the Knights were led by defensive standout Matt
Mellor, who recorded another double-digit tackles game with
10-total tackles. The run defense for the Knights was stifling, as
they held the Quakers to 31-yards rushing on the day. John had an
outstanding game in the secondary, as he recorded 9-total tackles.
Fine
Itaaehau and Tillery had noteworthy games, as three of each of
their four total tackles were for loss.
SVU, with the win, moves to 3-4 on the season. The Knights will
continue their string of NCAA D.III matchups when they travel to
face off against D.III powerhouse Wesley, Oct. 16. Wesley is
currently ranked third in D.III. Kickoff for the game in Dover,
DE., is scheduled for 1:00 pm.
