BUENA VISTA, VA. — The Southern Virginia University Football team debuted in their season and home opener Thursday night, taking on Wilmington College in a rematch from last year's overtime thriller. Wilmington was able to get revenge, taking down the Knights 52-27.
 
Key Players
Colten Shumway: 21-37, 56.8% completion, four touchdowns
Caden Hyder: two solo tackles, 8 assisted tackles, ten total tackles
 
Game Notes
First Quarter

• On Wilmington's first drive of the game, the Quakers were able to march down the field with a 12 play, 65 yard drive that ended with a pass up the middle by Adam Dixon for the 11-yard touchdown (7-0 Quakers)
• Southern Virginia answered confidently on the ensuing drive with Colten Shumway finding Chase Pope open for the two-yard touchdown connection tying up the game, and completing the 14 play, 64 yard drive (7-7)
• Taking nearly eight minutes off of the clock on the scoring drive, both teams went into the second quarter tied at seven

Second Quarter

• The Knights started the second quarter with prime field positioning after the Quakers punted the ball out of bounds on Southern Virginia's 45
• On first down, Jacob Wood carried the ball up the right side for a 22-yard gain to Wilmington's 33-yard line. A personal foul by the Quakers added an extra 15 yards to the end of the play, placing the Knights on the 18
• Four plays later, Chase Wester drew a pass interference call on the defense for 15 yards, placing Southern Virginia on the five yard line for first and goal
• On third and five, Shumway found Malik Jones open in the end zone for the five-yard touchdown connection (13-7 Knights)
• Wilmington wasted no time on the next drive, only needing three plays for Adam Dixon to connect with Itika Wynn Jr. for the 59-yard touchdown reception. The extra point put the Quakers ahead 14-13
• With eight minutes remaining in the first half, Wilmington went 57 yards in two plays to extend their lead to eight, 21-13
• The Quaker again capitalized on their next drive, scoring in four plays off a deep pass down the middle by Adam Dixon to Itika Wynn Jr. (28-13 Quakers)
• Wilmington closed out the first half with one final score with Xavier Fuller recording the reception touchdown off a 15-yard pass from Dixon (35-13 Quakers)

Third Quarter

• The Knights completely shifted the momentum of the game in their favor when Kymani VaiVai recorded his first career interception, returning it 50 yards to the Quaker 32
• On the ensuing drive, Shumway connected with Jake Schenk down the right sideline, recording the 30-yard touchdown reception (35-20 Quakers)
• On the following kickoff, the Knights kept the momentum in their favor with Jacob Taloa forcing a fumble at the 25-yard line
• Adrean Howard recovered the forced fumble at the Quaker's 24-yard line, setting up an optimal scoring opportunity for the team
• After a Jacob Wood 7-yard rush, Shumway found Chase Wester in the back of the endzone for the 17-yard touchdown pass, electrifying the crowd (35-27 Quakers)
• The Quakers could only muster a field goal in the third quarter, making the score 38-27 heading into the final quarter of play

Fourth Quarter

• Wilmington regrouped in the final quarter, quickly grabbing back the momentum after a 35-yard touchdown pass from Dixon to Lathan Jones (45-27 Quakers)
• The Quakers scored their final touchdown of the game with just over two minutes remaining in the game after another Dixon to Wynn Jr. connection (52-27 Quakers)
• The Knights were unable to score on their final drive, dropping their season opener

 
Southern Virginia will travel to Bridgewater, Virginia, to prepare to take on Bridgewater College in week two of their season. Game time is set for 2 pm.
 
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