Buena Vista, Va. – The Southern Virginia University football team fell to the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan University, 45-27, in its Homecoming contest on Halloween afternoon.
The turnover-filled matchup featured seven combined fumbles and four interceptions, with momentum shifting throughout the afternoon.
The Knights opened the game with an interception by Ty Smith on the second play from scrimmage. However, a fumble on the ensuing possession gave the ball right back to the Bishops. North Carolina Wesleyan returned the favor, fumbling on its next drive and giving Southern Virginia another opportunity.
Kendrick Worthington helped establish the ground game before Devin Watson connected with Dominic Bosco for the first touchdown of the afternoon, giving the Knights a 6-0 lead.
The Bishops responded with a 19-yard field goal before Knox Gallini forced a fumble to give Southern Virginia another short field. Watson capitalized, connecting with Antione Mills for Mills' first touchdown of the season. A successful two-point conversion extended the Knights' lead to 14-3.
However, the second quarter proved costly for Southern Virginia. North Carolina Wesleyan returned an interception for a touchdown, then added another interception on the next drive before a 61-yard completion to take a 24-14 lead. A third interception, returned deep into Southern Virginia territory, set up another Bishops score and sent the Knights into halftime trailing 31-14.
The 28-point second quarter from North Carolina Wesleyan proved too much to overcome, as the Knights struggled to find their rhythm through the air in the second half.
Worthington helped spark the offense with a stretch of seven consecutive running plays before Watson connected with Brandon Dupaix for a touchdown. Alex Mulauski added the extra point, cutting the deficit to 38-21.
Southern Virginia continued to battle in the fourth quarter, with Worthington gaining ground on the ground before Watson found Jax Vanchiere for a 63-yard touchdown. The score brought the Knights within 11, but North Carolina Wesleyan answered with a 54-yard kick return and a 35-yard pass to help put the game away, securing the 45-27 final.
Watson finished with 169 passing yards and four touchdowns, while Worthington led the rushing attack with 163 yards. Vanchiere paced the receiving corps with 81 yards on three receptions.
Defensively, Lucas Martin and Knox Gallini led the Knights with nine tackles apiece, they also forced and recovered fumbles. Cade Hanson added nine tackles, while Scott Pese recorded eight tackles, including three tackles for loss.
North Carolina Wesleyan finished with a 405-346 advantage in total offense and committed just three penalties compared to 11 by Southern Virginia.
The Knights return to Knight Stadium for their final home game of the season, hosting Huntingdon on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 1 p.m.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_ftbl on Instagram and X.
