BOX SCORE
DAVIDSON, NC – Morehead State 2-4 (0-3) lost its third straight Pioneer League game to the Davidson Wildcats 2-3 (2-1) 16-10 on a muggy Saturday afternoon at Richardson Stadium.
"It was a combination of the little things all day" said MSU coach
Matt Ballard. "When they add up like that you come up short on the scoreboard."
The Eagles jumped out to an early 7-0 lead after Wildcat running back Kenny Mantuo fumbled on the first play from scrimmage and Eagle linebacker
Tony Bachman recovered at the Davidson 18 yard line. The Eagle offense needed just three plays to score on a
Ronnie McDermott three yard rush off of right tackle.
Davidson got on the scoreboard later in the second quarter on a 33 yard field goal by place kicker Ben Behrendt. The scoring drive for the Wildcats was set up on a bizarre play. Wildcat tight end Preston Eldridge caught a pass for 21 yards and then fumbled after
Wes McDermott punched the ball out from behind, however Davidson running back Justin Williams recovered and advanced the ball 10 yards to the Morehead state 33 yard line, and after a MSU personal foul penalty at the end of the play, Davidson took over first and ten at the Morehead State 18 yard line.
Davidson also had another scoring chance in the first quarter, but place kicker Ben Behrendt had his field goal kick sail just right of the goal post.
Morehead State had the first scoring chance in the second half but came up empty. The Eagles drove into Davidson territory, when kicker
Rainer Duzan missed a 32 yard field goal attempt just right.
Late in the third quarter Davidson drove the ball 89 yards for a touchdown. After a 26-yard rush by running back Kenny Mantuo, Davidson quarterback Michael Blanchard scrambled nine yards and then fumbled, but it was recovered by Wildcat wide receiver Mark Hanabury at the Morehead State 35 yard line. Two plays later Blanchard ran speed option right and out ran the Morehead State defenders 37 yards to score the TD for the Wildcats, and take the lead 10-7 over the Eagles with 1:31 remaining in the third quarter.
Early in the fourth quarter Davidson running back Kirk Benedict fumbled and Bachman recovered his second of the game at the Davidson 18 yard line. Duzan tied the game at 10 after he made a 31 yard field goal with 12:09 remaining in the 4th quarter.
Davidson took the lead 16-10 in the 4th quarter after MSU punt returner
Brendan McLaughlin muffed a punt and Davidson recovered deep in Morehead State territory at the 16 yard line. Three plays later Davidson quarterback Michael Blanchard scored his second touchdown of the game after he took a quarterback draw up the middle 20 yards for a touchdown. Davidson's extra point try was missed.
"One play doesn't cause you to come up short." said Ballard "We had plenty of plays before that one and plenty of plays after that."
Morehead State tried to orchestrate a late fourth-quarter comeback from deep within its own territory at the MSU seven yard line, but couldn't convert one first down on the drive, and Davidson took over on downs with 1:35 remaining in the game.
Davidson had unusual success running the football on the Eagles defense, gaining 174 yards on 43 attempts. Wildcat's Michael Blanchard and Kenny Mantuo carrying most of the load today rushed for 119 yards and 61 yards. Blanchard had both of Davidson's rushing touchdowns.
Morehead State rotated quarterbacks between junior
Evan Sawyer and freshman
Zach Lewis for much of the day. Sawyer completed 8-of-19 attempts for 76 yards and Lewis was 7-of-12 passing for 45 yards. Ronnie McDermott led the Eagles in receiving gaining 48 yards on four catches. He also had a rushing touchdown.
MSU had trouble rushing and Davidson held the Eagles to a total of 60 yards on the ground on 31 attempts.
"Davidson was relentless all day, give them credit" said Ballard.
The Eagles were lead on defense by Wes McDermott and
Ryan Williams who had nine and eight tackles respectively. Defensively the Wildcats were lead by Daniel Astrop and Tyler Lemons who both had nine tackles.
Morehead State had five fumbles and eight penalties for 94 yards that killed drives throughout the game.
"We have to find a way to relax and make plays, we will continue to move forward and work hard." said Ballard
Morehead State will be back in action Sat. Oct. 17 in Jacksonville, Fla., to take on the Jacksonville University Dolphins kick-off is set to start at 1:00 p.m.