Methodist Rallies for a 20-19 Win Against Guilford

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Ryan Mosko’s 18-yard field goal with 40 seconds left lifted host Methodist University to a 20-19 comeback football win over Guilford College Saturday afternoon.

Guilford moved to the Monarchs’ 22-yard line with five seconds remaining, but freshman Brad Scott’s 39-yard field goal attempt fell just short and to the right.

The Monarchs (1-1) overcame four turnovers and used big second-half plays to pull out their first win of the season. Reggie Scales scored on two long second-half touchdown runs finished with 184 rushing yards on 17 carries. His 57-yard touchdown came on Methodist’s first play of the third quarter. Scales’ 77-yard scoring burst pulled the Monarchs to within 19-17 with 13:56 remaining.

Senior quarterback Erik Teague (Reidsville, N.C.) guided Methodist downfield in the final minutes. His short pass to Nathan Kindley turned into a 44-yard gain to the Quakers’ 20-yard line when Kindley broke a tackle and found open space. Methodist drove to the Guilford one-yard line before Mosko came on for the game-winning kick.

Guilford moved into scoring position on its final drive thanks to two Billy Watkins (Mebane, N.C.) pass completions and a roughing the passer penalty against Methodist that took the Quakers to the Monarchs’ 22-yard line.

The Quakers’ defense forced four turnovers, including two deep inside of Methodist territory. Chris Jessup’s second-quarter fumble recovery led to Watkins’ one-yard sneak on fourth-and-goal for the game’s first touchdown. Freshman Quan Parker’s (Albemarle, N.C.) one-handed interception at the Monarchs’ 20-yard line set up a four-yard touchdown pass from Watkins to tight end Mike Cooper and a 19-10 Guilford lead.

Justin Parker (Greensboro, N.C.), who split time at quarterback with Watkins, rushed for a team-high 98 yards on 24 carries. The Monarchs held Guilford’s option attack to 227 total yards. Watkins completed 14-of-18 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Richie Paul led Guilford’s tacklers for the second straight week with a career-high 15 stops.

The Quakers (0-2) open their home schedule next Saturday (9/19) against Averett University at 7:00 p.m.