WINGATE – Benedict pulled off one of the most improbable finishes in NCAA Division 2 playoff history, stunning 16th-ranked Wingate 25-24 on a miraculous 86-yard touchdown pass with no time remaining Saturday at Irwin Belk Stadium.

With the ball at their own 14-yard line and the clock showing only three seconds remaining, quarterback Jackson Jensen threw a desperation pass to Tre Simmons. What happened next defied belief. Simmons caught the ball near the 20-yard line, then threw a lateral all the way back across the field to Malik Mullins, who raced down the sideline untouched for the game-winning score as time expired.

The stunning victory capped a furious fourth-quarter rally by the 23rd-ranked Tigers, who overcame a 24-0 third-quarter deficit to advance in the Division 2 playoffs. Benedict improved to 10-2 while Wingate's season ended at 9-3, snapping the Bulldogs' six-game winning streak.

The comeback seemed unlikely after Wingate's Omar Ba intercepted Jensen's pass and returned it 17 yards for a touchdown with 14:46 remaining in the third quarter, giving the Bulldogs a commanding 24-0 advantage. Benedict had managed just 118 total yards to that point and trailed by three scores midway through the third quarter.

But the Tigers' defense stiffened considerably after that score. Benedict forced three consecutive three-and-out possessions and benefited from crucial Wingate mistakes that shifted momentum. The Tigers held Wingate to just 139 total yards and no points over the final 28 minutes of game action.

Benedict finally broke through late in the third quarter when Jensen directed a six-play, 27-yard drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown pass to Malaqhi Jones with 1:03 remaining in the period. Logan Karwacki's extra point made it 24-7, giving the Tigers their first points after falling behind 17-0 in the first quarter.

The fourth quarter belonged entirely to Benedict's defense and special teams. Isaiah Isidore provided the spark with 10:05 remaining when he blocked a 21-yard field goal attempt by Caleb Bonesteel and returned it 95 yards for a touchdown. The failed extra point left Benedict trailing 24-13, but the Tigers had seized momentum.

Benedict's offense took over at its own 50-yard line after a Kolten Ford punt with 5:59 remaining and methodically moved downfield. Triston Morgan carried five times for 33 yards on the drive, including a critical 27-yard run to the Wingate 21 that gave Benedict first-and-10 deep in Bulldogs territory.

Jensen completed the march with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Charle Simmons with 3:36 remaining. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Benedict trailing 24-19 and needing to get the ball back with little time remaining.

Wingate tried to run out the clock but could only manage 22 yards on six plays before punting back to Benedict with 19 seconds left. The Tigers took over at their own 14-yard line with one final chance.

Jensen's first three passes fell incomplete, all intended for Troy Hillman. Facing fourth-and-10 with the season on the line and the clock at zero, Jensen dropped back one final time. The improbable lateral play that followed sent the Benedict sideline into celebration and silenced the Wingate home crowd who .

Jensen finished 11-of-29 passing for 158 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He added 33 yards rushing on seven carries. Mullins caught four passes for 126 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Morgan led Benedict's ground game with 50 yards on 12 carries.

Wingate quarterback Elijah Holmes completed 14 of 32 passes for 264 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Freshman receiver Jaylen Himes caught four passes for 138 yards and both of Holmes' touchdown passes, scoring on connections of 25 and 34 yards in the first quarter that staked the Bulldogs to their early lead.

The Bulldogs dominated the first half, taking a 17-0 lead into the break. Holmes connected with Himes for touchdown passes on back-to-back drives in the opening quarter. The first score came on a four-play, 68-yard drive capped by the 25-yard connection at 11:56 of the first quarter. The second touchdown came less than five minutes later when Holmes found Himes again, this time for 34 yards to complete a six-play, 63-yard march.

Bonesteel added a 26-yard field goal with 59 seconds left in the first quarter to extend Wingate's advantage to 17-0. The Bulldogs reached the red zone four times but managed just one field goal from those trips, a crucial shortcoming that proved decisive.

Benedict's defense recorded four sacks and limited Wingate to 3-of-14 on third-down conversions. Isaiah Stephens led the Tigers with nine tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Israe Nwokocha added seven tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and one sack, plus the blocked field goal return for touchdown that sparked the comeback.

The loss ended Wingate's seventh playoff appearance in school history and sixth in the last eight years. The Bulldogs had won at least eight games in nine consecutive seasons and were appearing in their fifth home playoff game.

Benedict advances to face Albany State, the region’s top seed, in the second round of the Division 2 playoffs. The Tigers are making their third playoff appearance in the last four years and earned their second road playoff victory after previously winning at Wingate in 1998 in the teams' first meeting. Wingate had defeated Benedict 23-6 in the second round of the 2022 playoffs before advancing to the national quarterfinals.

The dramatic finish will be remembered as one of the wildest endings in recent playoff history, a fitting conclusion to a game that seemed decided until the final seconds ticked off the clock.

WINGATE – Xavier Pugh rushed for 164 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries as Wingate defeated Catawba 41-28 on Saturday night at Irwin Belk Stadium, improving to 4-2 overall and 2-2 in South Atlantic Conference play. The Bulldogs amassed 527 total yards without punting once, ending the Indians' four-game winning streak.

Wingate controlled the game from the opening drive, building a 21-0 lead midway through the second quarter before Catawba mounted a late rally that fell short. The Bulldogs held possession for more than 35 minutes and converted seven of 11 third-down attempts while averaging eight yards per play.

"We didn't punt tonight," could have been Wingate's calling card as the offense sustained drives consistently throughout the contest. The Bulldogs' balance on offense—281 rushing yards and 246 passing yards—kept Catawba's defense from finding answers.

First Half Surge

Wingate forced a three-and-out on Catawba's opening possession and took over at its own 26-yard line. The Bulldogs converted their first scoring opportunity into points with a methodical 10-play, 74-yard drive. Quarterback Elijah Holmes connected with Laron Warner for 14 yards to cross into Catawba territory, then found Jaylen Himes for 13 yards to reach the 30. Holmes capped the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Himes at the 7:55 mark of the first quarter.

The Bulldogs needed just 2:28 to strike again after Jake Snapp's 14-yard punt return set up Wingate at its own 29. A 31-yard reception by Xavier Jackson moved the ball to midfield, and Holmes took over from there, scoring on a 33-yard run to make it 14-0 with 2:12 remaining in the opening period.

Wingate extended its advantage early in the second quarter with a 12-play, 88-yard drive that consumed 5:32. Holmes connected with Pugh for 42 yards to reach the Catawba 28, then scrambled for 12 yards to get inside the 10. Pugh finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-0 at the 8:36 mark.

Catawba finally broke through late in the half after Wingate kicker Caleb Bonesteel missed a 42-yard field goal attempt wide left. Starting at their own 25 with 2:07 remaining, the Indians used an eight-play, 75-yard drive to get on the scoreboard. Preston Brown completed a 42-yard pass to Bo Pryor to reach the Wingate 25, then ran for 11 yards to move inside the 15. Brown connected with Amari McArthur for a 16-yard touchdown with 45 seconds left in the half, cutting the deficit to 21-7 at intermission.

Second Half Trading Blows

Wingate answered immediately to start the third quarter, marching 80 yards in eight plays. Holmes opened the drive with a 19-yard completion to Himes, then connected with Himes again for 20 yards to reach the Catawba 40. After a 21-yard pass to Silas Tate, Pugh scored from 21 yards out to restore the three-touchdown cushion at 28-7 with 10:51 left in the period.

The Indians showed resilience after a turnover gave them favorable field position at their own 19. Brown was sacked and fumbled on third down, but Catawba recovered. Following a pass interference penalty that gave the Indians a first down at their own 33, Brown hit RJ Jackson for 28 yards to reach Wingate territory. Jay Moore converted a third-and-one with a two-yard run, and Brown found Jalen Brown for a 17-yard touchdown with two seconds remaining in the third quarter, pulling Catawba within 28-14.

Fourth Quarter Separation

Snapp's 46-yard kickoff return to start the fourth quarter set Wingate up at the 50-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Pugh broke free for a 46-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 35-14 at 14:14.

Catawba responded with a seven-play, 71-yard drive. Brown converted a third-and-19 with a 26-yard completion to Nick Venezia, and penalties against Wingate helped move the ball into scoring position. Brown scored on a 15-yard run to make it 35-21 with 11:24 remaining.

The Bulldogs countered with a six-play, 46-yard drive. Holmes connected with Xavier Jackson for 25 yards, and Mason Avery added a 13-yard run before Bonesteel kicked a 37-yard field goal at the 9:11 mark to push the advantage to 38-21.

Ephraim Wright forced a fumble on Catawba's next possession, recovered by Ryan Green near midfield. Wingate ran 11 plays and drained 5:45 off the clock, with Avery carrying seven times for 27 yards on the drive. Bonesteel converted a 25-yard field goal to make it 41-21 with 2:02 remaining.

Catawba added a late touchdown when Brown threw a four-yard scoring pass to Jalen Brown with eight seconds left, but the outcome was already decided.

Statistical Standouts

Holmes finished 14-of-24 passing for 246 yards and one touchdown while adding 64 yards and a score on the ground. Pugh also caught two passes for 43 yards, giving him 207 all-purpose yards for the night. Himes led all receivers with seven catches for 105 yards and a touchdown, while Jackson added two receptions for 56 yards.

Brown completed 23 of 32 passes for 232 yards and three touchdowns for Catawba while leading the team in rushing with 39 yards on 12 carries. Pryor hauled in seven catches for 69 yards, and Jalen Brown caught four passes for 31 yards and two scores.

Defensively, Jaquan Edwards paced Wingate with nine tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Eli Lipscomb recorded eight tackles, two sacks and two forced fumbles. Mandjou Berte added 1.5 sacks, and Jasiah Hill contributed six tackles with one tackle for loss.

Jaylen Hinton led Catawba with eight tackles, while Braylon Baker and Kyle Perry each recorded seven tackles with one tackle for loss. Isaiah Herrera notched a sack on a critical third-and-goal play in the third quarter that forced a fumble recovered by Rickey Jones.

The Bulldogs' red-zone efficiency proved decisive—Wingate scored on three of five trips inside the 20, while Catawba converted all four of its red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. Wingate's ability to sustain drives and control the clock limited Catawba's offensive possessions to 57 plays compared to 66 for the Bulldogs.

Catawba falls to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while Wingate evened its SAC record at 2-2.

Key Performers

Wingate:

• Xavier Pugh: 20 rushes, 164 yards, 3 TDs; 2 catches, 43 yards
• Elijah Holmes: 14-of-24 passing, 246 yards, 1 TD; 9 rushes, 64 yards, 1 TD
• Jaylen Himes: 7 catches, 105 yards, 1 TD
• Jaquan Edwards: 9 tackles, 2.5 TFL
• Eli Lipscomb: 8 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles

Catawba:

• Preston Brown: 23-of-32 passing, 232 yards, 3 TDs; 12 rushes, 39 yards, 1 TD
• Bo Pryor: 7 catches, 69 yards
• Jaylen Hinton: 8 tackles

WINGATE – The Carson-Newman Eagles handed the No. 19-ranked Wingate Bulldogs their first home defeat of the season, winning 21-14 in South Atlantic Conference action at Irwin Belk Stadium in a contest delayed twice by lightning and played through steady rain. Carson-Newman improved to 3-1 (2-1 SAC), while Wingate dropped to 3-1 (1-1 SAC) in front of 2,257 fans who endured a four-hour, twenty-one-minute marathon of defensive stands and dramatic momentum swings. 

First Half: Slow and Soggy Start

Both teams struggled to gain traction early as weather delays disrupted rhythm, but Carson-Newman’s ground attack managed to break through first. After Isaiah Cane intercepted Wingate quarterback Elijah Holmes on the Bulldogs' first offensive play, the Eagles seized momentum with a methodical 10-play, 47-yard scoring drive capped by Zane Whitson's two-yard touchdown run. Bennett Smith’s extra point gave the visitors a 7-0 edge with just over four minutes left in the opening quarter.

The remainder of the first half was marked by strong defensive play, missed opportunities, and another substantial weather delay. Carson-Newman marched into field goal range late in the second but came up empty when Smith pulled his 45-yard attempt wide left. The teams combined for just seven first downs and traded punts as field position battles dominated the stat sheet. Despite the wet conditions, Wingate managed the only turnover of the game, while Carson-Newman recovered all six of its own fumbles.

Second Half: Breakout Runs and Critical Field Goals

After halftime, Elijah Holmes delivered a needed spark for Wingate, engineering a six-play, 74-yard drive that featured his own 52-yard touchdown burst to knot the score at 7-7. Holmes’ dual-threat ability was on display throughout—he finished with 148 passing yards, a touchdown through the air, and 51 more on the ground, including his score.

Carson-Newman’s offense, built on a deep rotation of running backs, answered when Smith drilled a 39-yard field goal to retake the lead in the third quarter. The Eagles stuck mostly to the run—Jayden Sullins led all rushers with 102 yards, highlighted by a game-changing 60-yard dash late in the fourth. Mario Sanchez was pivotal as well, finding the end zone for the Eagles’ final touchdown and executing a successful two-point conversion, helping Carson-Newman push the margin to 21-7 with under two minutes remaining.

Fourth Quarter: Defensive Resistance and Late Drama

Wingate’s defense kept the outcome in doubt with timely tackles for loss and pressure up front, led by Ryan Green (15 tackles, 2.5 for loss) and Mandjou Berte (13 tackles, 4 for loss, a sack, and two forced fumbles). The Bulldogs forced key punts and set up their offense with favorable field position, including one sequence where Green’s TFL pinned Carson-Newman at its own goal line, eventually resulting in a short field for Wingate. However, missed opportunities loomed large when kicker Caleb Bonesteel missed a crucial 45-yard field goal with 4:37 left, keeping Wingate behind by six.

Carson-Newman chose aggression, converting a fourth-and-one from its own 37 with Sullins' 60-yard gallop, effectively setting up Sanchez’s clinching score. Wingate mounted a nine-play, 80-yard touchdown drive inside the final minute, capped by Holmes finding Jaylen Himes (seven catches, 110 yards, one TD) on a 16-yard toss. Jayden James and Jasiah Hill contributed tackles for loss as Wingate tried to keep the Eagles in check, but Cade Meeks' recovery of the ensuing onside kick sealed the result for Carson-Newman.

Statistical Context

Carson-Newman controlled the clock, holding possession for over 37 minutes and earning a narrow edge in first downs (14-12). The Eagles ran 59 times for 215 yards and managed just 33 passing yards, relying almost exclusively on their ground game and strong special teams. Meanwhile, Wingate finished with 241 total yards—148 passing, 93 rushing—and outperformed the Eagles on third-down conversions but struggled to sustain drives in key moments. Both teams were perfect in the red zone, but Carson-Newman capitalized on all three trips while Wingate found the end zone just once.

Special teams also played a role, with Wingate’s Christian Teeter averaging 41.3 yards on seven punts (three inside the twenty) and Kayden Bash providing 98 yards on four kickoff returns. Carson-Newman’s Bennett Smith converted from 39 and 52 yards, giving the Eagles a crucial edge as points were scarce in difficult conditions.

Defensive Performances

Wingate’s defense featured multiple standouts who helped keep the game within reach:

• Ryan Green: 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss
• Mandjou Berte: 13 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, sack, two forced fumbles
• Guy Taylor: seven tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, forced fumble
• Diego Aviles: seven tackles, one tackle for loss

Carson-Newman’s defense was anchored by Mekhi Brown, Martavis Mason, and Terry Lemon, each with at least five tackles and combined contributions in the pass rush and run defense.

Key Stats and Top Performers

• Jayden Sullins: 17 carries, 102 yards (long of 60), key fourth-quarter conversion
• Mario Sanchez: 14 carries, 34 yards, touchdown, two-point conversion
• Zane Whitson: 11 carries, 45 yards, rushing touchdown; also 17 passing yards
• Elijah Holmes: 12-29, 148 yards, passing touchdown, one interception; 51 rushing yards, rushing touchdown
• Jaylen Himes: seven catches, 110 yards, one touchdown
• Christian Teeter: seven punts, 41.3 average (long of 62), three inside the 20

CHARLOTTE – In a stunning upset that reshapes the conference standings, Fayetteville State dominated fourth-ranked Johnson C. Smith 27-0 on Saturday at the Irwin Belk Complex in Charlotte, ending the Golden Bulls' eight-game winning streak.

The Broncos (4-4, 3-3) controlled every phase of the game against Johnson C. Smith (8-1, 5-1), combining an efficient offense with a smothering defense that held one of the region's top teams scoreless. The victory marked Fayetteville State's most significant win of the season and introduced uncertainty into JCSU's playoff positioning just days before the release of the initial NCAA Division II Super Region Two rankings.

After a scoreless first quarter, Fayetteville State broke through with an impressive 16-play, 90-yard drive that showcased their offensive capabilities. Quarterback Joe Owens Jr. connected with Kameron King on a 7-yard touchdown pass, giving the Broncos a 7-0 lead with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter.

The Broncos extended their lead before halftime when Der Alston Jr. scored on a 10-yard run, capping a seven-play, 68-yard drive to make it 14-0. Fayetteville State's offense continued to find success against a JCSU defense that had been among the region's best, accumulating 353 total yards.

Owens orchestrated another lengthy drive in the third quarter, leading the Broncos 100 yards in 11 plays. He finished the drive himself with a 1-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 21-0. The quarterback finished with 233 passing yards, completing 24 of 32 attempts.

Julius Cobbs sealed the victory with 1:55 remaining, returning an interception 53 yards for the final touchdown. The defensive score highlighted a dominant performance by the Broncos' defense, which limited JCSU to just 192 total yards and 30 yards rushing.

Harris-Strayhor led all receivers with eight catches for 95 yards, while Julia Milligan added two receptions for 60 yards. The Broncos' ground game was effective, with Alston Jr. gaining 39 yards and Jamari Slade breaking free for a 32-yard run.

JCSU's typically potent offense struggled throughout the afternoon. Quarterback Darius Ocean completed 15 of 35 passes for 162 yards but threw two interceptions. Brevin Caldwell caught eight passes for 75 yards in the losing effort.

The Broncos' defense pressured Ocean consistently, recording two sacks and seven tackles for loss. Caleb Legrand led the defensive effort with seven tackles and a pass breakup, while Taevion Cox added five tackles including 2.5 for loss.

Despite the loss, JCSU's Benari Black had an outstanding defensive performance with 16 total tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss.

Fayetteville State controlled the clock, holding the ball for over 35 minutes while converting 7 of 14 third downs. The Broncos' defense held JCSU to just 4 of 13 on third down conversions and stopped them on both red zone opportunities.

The upset victory gives Fayetteville State momentum heading into their final games, while Johnson C. Smith must regroup quickly to maintain their position in the conference title race.

WINGATE – The Wingate University Bulldogs’ defense was impenetrable for the second consecutive week, shutting out Barton College with a commanding 50-0 victory in South Atlantic Conference football action at Irwin Belk Stadium. This win advances Wingate’s record to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the SAC, while Barton drops to 2-4 overall and 1-3 in league play. This victory marks the second time in program history that Wingate has achieved back-to-back shutouts, a feat not accomplished since the 2015 season. Over the past two weeks, Wingate has outscored its opponents 83-0.

The Bulldogs’ defense dominated the game, allowing only 89 total yards from Barton, including just eight rushing yards. Barton’s seven turnovers, five fumbles, and two interceptions, highlighted Wingate’s relentless pressure and defensive prowess. The Bulldogs controlled the clock, possessing the ball for nearly 35 minutes, and held a 20-7 advantage in first downs.

Wingate’s offense was equally impressive, amassing 345 yards, with 189 rushing yards and 156 passing yards. Brooks Bentley led the charge, throwing for 137 yards and a touchdown. Matt Flanders added three receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown, while O’Brien Barnett and Corey Siemer each contributed rushing touchdowns. Ethan Wallace, Xavier Pugh, and Noah Bell also added scores, showcasing Wingate’s balanced offensive attack.

The game’s momentum was established early, with Wingate scoring on its first drive, highlighted by a 33-yard field goal from Caleb Bonesteel. The Bulldogs quickly built on their lead, with Corey Siemer’s one-yard touchdown run capping off an 11-play, 71-yard drive. The defense continued to stifle Barton, with Dontorian Best’s interception setting up another Wingate touchdown.

By halftime, Wingate had amassed a 33-0 lead, thanks to additional scores from Noah Bell and Matt Flanders. The Bulldogs continued their dominance in the second half, with Brandon Perry’s interception and subsequent fumble recovery leading to O’Brien Barnett’s three-yard touchdown run. Xavier Pugh added a five-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to seal the 50-0 victory.

Wingate’s defense shone brightly, with standout performances from Brandon Perry, Dontorian Best, and Guy Taylor, who each forced and recovered turnovers. Jasiah Hill’s late fumble recovery thwarted Barton’s final drive, cementing the shutout.

The Bulldogs’ dominant performance underscores their defensive strength and offensive efficiency as they look to continue their winning momentum in the South Atlantic Conference.

Up Next

Wingate (4-10 is on the road at Limestone while Barton (2-4) hosts Lenoir-Rhyne (5-1).

CHARLOTTE – In a tight matchup on a warm Saturday afternoon, the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls secured a 21-16 victory over Virginia Union at Irwin Belk Stadium in Uptown Charlotte. With the win, JCSU improves to 4-0 on the season.

JCSU’s offense, led by quarterback Darius Ocean, outgained VUU 400 yards to 180. Ocean completed 17 of 28 passes for 282 yards and one touchdown. His primary target was receiver Brevin Caldwell, who caught 9 passes for 140 yards.

The ground game proved crucial for JCSU, with running back Quavari Crouch scoring two rushing touchdowns. Crouch and teammate Kamarro Edmonds each rushed for 53 yards on the day.

Virginia Union’s offense struggled to find its rhythm, managing only 40 rushing yards on 24 attempts. Quarterback Mark Wright completed 13 of 19 passes for 140 yards, with Ricky Key Jr. being his top receiver, catching 4 passes for 73 yards.

JCSU took an early lead in the first quarter with a 4-yard touchdown run by Crouch. VUU responded with a 42-yard field goal by Brady Myers. The second quarter saw JCSU extend their lead with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Ocean to Crouch, while VUU’s Jada Byers scored on a 1-yard run.

The third quarter belonged to JCSU, with Crouch scoring his second rushing touchdown. VUU attempted a comeback in the fourth quarter, with Byers scoring another touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the deficit.

Despite the loss, VUU’s defense showed resilience, forcing two JCSU fumbles and blocking a field goal attempt. Jerome Jones led the VUU defense with 10 tackles, including one for a loss.

Up Next

JCSU looks to extend their season-opening win streak on the road at Bluefield State in another CIAA matchup

WINGATE - In a game that was expected to be a high-scoring affair, Wingate’s defense proved that sometimes, the best offense is a great defense. In a stunning display of defensive prowess, the Wingate University Bulldogs reminded the college football world of the power of SAC football by defeating the 17th-ranked Delta State Statesmen 21-7 at Irwin Belk Stadium on Saturday. The victory improved Wingate’s record to 2-0, while Delta State suffered their first loss of the season, dropping to 2-1.

Wingate RB Ethan Wallace (Photo Credit: Robin Jackson)

Defense Dominates

The story of the game was Wingate’s suffocating defense, which held the high-powered Delta State offense to just 7 points—a staggering 44 points below their season average. Coming into the contest, the Statesmen were averaging over 50 points and 320 passing yards per game. However, Wingate’s defensive unit had other plans, limiting Delta State to a mere 109 passing yards and 253 total yards of offense.

Wingate’s defensive line was particularly impressive, racking up five sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Linebacker Dontorian Best led the charge with 13 tackles, including 2.5 for loss, while defensive end Marquise Fleming terrorized the Delta State backfield with 2.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries.

Offense Does Just Enough

While the defense stole the show, Wingate’s offense did enough to secure the victory. Quarterback Brooks Bentley completed 16 of 28 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Xavier Jackson for a 14-yard score in the first quarter to tie the game at 7-7.

The Bulldogs’ ground game, led by O’Brien Barnett and Ethan Wallace, combined for 111 yards. Barnett punched in a crucial 1-yard touchdown run late in the second quarter to give Wingate a 14-7 halftime lead.

Key Moments

Delta State struck first with a 65-yard touchdown run by quarterback Cole Kirk early in the first quarter. However, that would be the Statesmen’s only trip to the end zone for the entire game.

Wingate took control in the second quarter, capitalizing on an interception by CJ McGarity to set up their go-ahead touchdown drive. The Bulldogs extended their lead in the third quarter with a methodical 10-play, 86-yard drive, capped off by Noah Bell’s 2-yard touchdown run.

Looking Ahead

The Bulldogs will look to carry this momentum into their next game as they open South Atlantic Conference play at Carson-Newman next Saturday. 

WINGATE – The Wingate University Bulldogs scored 35 points in the second half, defeating UVA Wise 45-7 on Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium in South Atlantic Conference football action. The Bulldogs improve to 9-2 overall on the year and 7-2 in SAC play, while the Cavaliers end their season at 2-9 overall and 1-8 in league play.

The Bulldogs' opening play from scrimmage was intercepted. UVA Wise was unable to capitalize, punting down to the Wingate 10-yard line. A 47-yard completion to Grant and a 20-yard Wilson run helped Wingate move the ball down the field to set up a two-yard Crocker TD run, putting the 'Dogs up 7-0 with just over nine minutes left in the opening quarter. The teams traded punts on their ensuing possessions.

Wingate receiver Trevor Grant hauls in the pass Photo Credit: Ashley Garcia

UVA Wise's 13-play drive went just 48 yards before they punted back to Wingate. The teams traded back-to-back punts. Midway through the quarter, the Cavs recovered a fumble near midfield. The Bulldog defense held strong, forcing yet another punt. Wingate's 13-play, 73-yard drive stalled as Evans' 24-yarder gave the Bulldogs a 10-0 lead with just seven seconds left in the half.

The first three drives of the second half resulted in punts. Simmons returned UVA Wise's second punt of the half 40 yards to set the 'Dogs up with a first and goal at the four-yard line. Crocker's three-yard TD pass to Grant put the 'Dogs up 17-0 with 8:19 left in the third quarter. After two punts, Wise's Juwan Dent completed a 93-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Kirkess to put the Cavs on the board. Wingate responded right back with a drive consisting of a 41-yard completion to Grant bookended by completions of 23 yards and 11 yards for a touchdown to Desor. The three-play, 75-yard drive gave WU a 24-7 lead with less than two minutes to go in the third quarter.

UVA Wise punted before turning the Bulldogs over on downs to start the fourth quarter. Dent's pass was intercepted by Mullen, who returned it 43 yards into Wise territory. Crocker's 29-yard touchdown pass to Grant pushed Wingate's lead to 31-7 midway through the quarter. Wise's first play on the next drive was intercepted by Morrison, who returned it to the Cavalier 11-yard line. Crocker cashed in with a one-yard scoring plunge, as the 'Dogs led 38-7 with just over five minutes left. On Wise's next drive, Cook forced a fumble and returned it 15 yards for the score. Marked 21 Wingate points in just over three minutes. The Bulldogs stopped the Cavaliers on a fourth and one to ice the victory.

Of Note

This is the sixth straight fall season with at least eight wins for the Bulldogs. The nine wins are the most since the program-record 10-win season in 2019. Wingate is 56-16 overall in the last five full seasons, going 37-10 in league play. WU leads the league in overall wins and SAC victories in that span. The 'Dogs are 77-38 at Irwin Belk Stadium since 2001. The Bulldogs have now won 36 of the last 37 games when scoring 30 points. Wingate has scored at least 30 points 25 times since the beginning of '18. WU leads the nation in TFLs and third-down defense. The 'Dogs are second in total defense and sacks, ranking fifth in scoring defense. Wingate is fifth nationally in rush defense and sixth in pass defense. Seventh time this season the Bulldogs have held an opponent to 10 or fewer points.

KEY STATS

Wingate out-gained UVA Wise 327-231. The Bulldogs gained 129 yards on the ground and 198 through the air. Wise gained just 15 rushing yards while throwing for 216 yards. WU picked up 16 first downs to the Cavaliers' 15. The Cavs were seven-for-17 on third down; Wingate was four-of-10. The 'Dogs cashed in on all five red zone trips; Wise was unsuccessful in both opportunities. Wingate picked up six sacks on the afternoon, while the Cavaliers recorded one. The Bulldogs forced three turnovers which all turned into touchdowns. UVA Wise possessed the ball for nearly 33 minutes.

UP NEXT

Wingate learns its postseason fate during the Division II NCAA Tournament selection show Sunday at 5:30 pm. The 'Dogs were fifth in this week's NCAA Super Region 2 poll. The selection show will air on NCAA.com Sunday evening.

Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics