Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University football team opened its 2025 campaign in commanding fashion, defeating the Apprentice School 27-6 on Saturday night. The Knights paired a stout defensive effort with timely offensive execution to secure the season-opening victory.
The Knights struck early after Steven Leo's 33-yard kickoff return set up strong field position. Just three minutes into the game, quarterback Devin Watson found Henry Audette for a touchdown on fourth down, putting Southern Virginia ahead 7-0.
On the very next play, Ty Smith forced a fumble to give the Knights the ball back, though the drive came up empty. Still, Southern Virginia's defense kept the Builders pinned deep, highlighted by a Watson punt downed at the one-yard line.
Apprentice eventually broke through in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown, but Peyton Brown blocked the extra point and Alex Passey recovered the loose ball to preserve a 7-6 lead. The Knights responded minutes later when Britton Tidwell jumped a pass and returned it for a pick-six, extending the lead to 13-6 at the half.
Southern Virginia's defense locked in after the break, holding Apprentice scoreless the rest of the way. Watson led a third-quarter drive capped by a 27-yard touchdown pass to Cintez Gibson, and later engineered an eight-play passing series that set up Crew Sage's touchdown run, sealing the 27-6 victory.
The Knights' defense fueled the win, forcing three fumbles and an interception while shutting out the Builders in the second half. Spike Adams led the unit with eight tackles, while Tidwell stuffed the stat sheet with seven tackles, four tackles for loss, a forced fumble, a pass breakup, and his interception return for a touchdown. Cade Hanson added seven tackles.
Offensively, Watson finished with 182 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 41 rushing yards. Gibson and Audette each caught touchdown passes, while Jireek Washington paced the receiving corps with six catches for 47 yards.
Southern Virginia (1-0) now turns its attention to a road matchup with former conference foe Averett University on Saturday, September 6. The Knights last faced the Cougars in 2021, a 28-23 loss they will look to avenge.
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