NC Wesleyan Outlasts Pride Football 31-19 ; Russell Breaks Record
In a hard fought Homecoming showdown on Saturday afternoon, the Greensboro College football team came up on the short end of a 31-19 decision to the Battling Bishops of North Carolina Wesleyan. The Pride grabbed an early 7-0 advantage and had an opportunity to take the lead late but were unable to pick up their first win of the season. Sophomore wide receiver Dexter Russell Jr. (pictured) highlighted the day with a single game school record 201 yards receiving.
The thrilling finish began with 12:03 remaining in the game when Greensboro freshman quarterback Ryan Throndset found senior wide receiver Joey Porter in the endzone from four-yards out to bring The Pride within 24-19.
After the defense forced a fumble on the ensuing NC Wesleyan possession, Greensboro went back to work, moving deep into Bishop territory. A defensive pass interfance call on fourth and six at the NC Wesleyan 24-yardline gave The Pride a first and goal at the nine-yard line.
Two plays later, with Greensboro facing a third and goal from the 13-yardline, the drive came to an end as a Throndset pass into the endzone fell into the hands of Bishop defender Javon Boddie.
NC Wesleyan siezed the momentum and ran with it, taking the ball 80-yards in nine plays for the decisive touchdown with 4:33 left in the game.
The day started with a two-yard touchdown run by freshman Pride running back Warren Scott on the opnening possession of the game. Scott’s plunge at the 10:33 mark capped an eight play, 61-yard drive.
Kevin Quicker put NC Wesleyan on the board four minutes later with a 41-yard field goal to cut the margin to 7-3. Greensboro answered with a 27-yard Joe Landmeyer field goal of its own with 1:57 to go in the first frame to push the lead to 10-3.
The lead would not hold for long, however, as Bishop quarterback Shane Paris hit Greg Edwards from 67-yards out to tie the score at 10-10 heading into the second quarter.
The Paris to Edwards duo connected again early in the second, this time from ten-yards out, as NC Wesleyan grab its first lead of the game at 17-10.
The remainder of the second period would go scoreless before Langmeyer knocked home a 33-yard field goal with 30 seconds left on the clock for a halftime score of 17-13.
The Bishops Jacques Alston provided the only score for either team in the third quarter on a 39-yard touchdown run midway through the period. Alson’s score moved the score to 24-13 in favor of the visitors and set-up the exciting fourth quarter finish.
As a team, The Pride outgained NC Wesleyan through the air 270-159 and picked up 23 first downs to 19 for the Bishops. NC Wesleyan held the advantage on the ground 233-73 and finished the game with 392 yards of total offense compared to 343 for Greensboro.
Throndset had another solid game through the air, completing 24 of his 43 attempts for 270 yards and one touchdown. Fresh off a 12 reception, 137 yard performance against Averett, Russell proved to be the offensive playmaker yet again with 14 catches for 201 yards. Scott paced the ground attack with 102 yards on 23 carries.
Defensively, Allen Stallings pushed his career school record tackle total to 317 with 17 on Saturday. Stallings earned USA South Defensive Player of Week honors after breaking the career record with a 20 tackle performance against Averett. Travis Welch chipped in with eight tackles while Maurice Torain added seven.
The Pride will hit the road on October 22 against Ferrum for a 1 p.m. conference game. Greensboro is scheduled to returrn home on October 29 against Christopher Newport at 1 p.m.
With a Professor coaching what do you expect???
Go get Coach Jimmy Teague up at GW Danville, formerly of Reidsville and an assistant at Greensboro College…..I heard he can handle it…..Go get Coach Teague and bring him back here……