Brevard, N.C. – The Southern Virginia University football team fell just short in a thrilling back-and-forth contest against Brevard College, dropping their first game of the season in a 35–32 battle on the road. The loss moves the Knights to 4–1 (1-1) overall.
Brevard struck early, returning the opening kickoff 55 yards to set up a short field for the game's first touchdown. The Knights looked to respond immediately as Devin Watson guided a 10-play drive deep into Tornado territory, but the drive stalled at the 1-yard line. Alex Passey then converted a short field goal to make it 7–3 at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Britton Tidwell came up big with a 15-yard sack on Brevard's opening series, forcing a long third down — but the Tornadoes converted with a 27-yard completion and capped the drive with a 30-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 14–3. Brevard later added another touchdown on a 75-yard pass to make it 21–3 heading into halftime. Despite multiple red zone trips, the Knights couldn't capitalize before the break.
Southern Virginia broke through in the third quarter when Watson scrambled 24 yards for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 21–10. Brevard answered immediately with another long 67-yard touchdown pass to push the margin back to 28–10, but the Knights weren't finished. A creative play saw Isaiah Maxey haul in a pass and lateral to Roger Adam, who scored to make it 28–17 at the end of the third quarter.
Momentum carried into the fourth quarter as the Knights mounted a furious rally. Watson found Cintez Gibson on a 56-yard pass and later connected with Jireek Washington for a 22-yard touchdown. The duo hooked up again for a two-point conversion to bring the score to 25–28 with just five minutes left.
Brevard answered with a lengthy drive capped by another score to make it 35–25, but Watson and the Knights had one last push. He led a lightning-fast drive, finding Mahonri Smith-Falo, Adam, and finally Washington again for a touchdown with just 44 seconds remaining. Passey's extra point made it 35–32, but Brevard recovered the onside kick to seal the win.
Watson had a career-high performance, completing 34 of 63 passes for 370 yards, three touchdowns, and adding 70 rushing yards with another score. Washington caught two touchdowns, while Adam added one receiving TD. Gibson led the team in receiving yards with 71.
Defensively, Spike Adams led with eight tackles, while Joseph Woods Jr., Britton Tidwell, Cade Hanson, and Tyler Edwards each recorded a sack. Jemaar Robinson added an interception for the Knights.
Southern Virginia outgained Brevard in first downs (28–17) and passing yards (370–287), but explosive plays ultimately kept the Tornadoes just out in front.
The Knights now turn their focus to Homecoming Weekend, returning to Buena Vista to host Methodist University on Saturday, October 18th at 1:00 PM. Southern Virginia defeated the Monarchs 21–17 last season and looks to repeat that success in front of their home crowd.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_ftbl on Instagram or X.
