Guilford College Quakers football team taken down by Hampden-Sydney Tigers

Guilford Taken Down by Hampden-Sydney Tigers

The Guilford College football team faced the Hampden-Sydney College Tigers on a warm Saturday afternoon. After a tightly contested first half, the Tigers pulled away from the Quakers, 42-21.

The opening drive, the Guilford defense stood tall and forced a punt. On the Quakers first drive, the team used a mixed rushing attack of Cory Casliac, Jaelan Brown and Joseph Brown Jr. The team covered 75 yards over 11 plays as Brown Jr. found the endzone for the opening score. Burke Nettles nailed the point after to hand GC a 7-0 lead at 9:20 in the first.

Each side punted the ball on their next drives as Hampden-Sydney took over at the GC 34. A mix of short passes and medium rushes marched the Tigers down the field as they scored on a short run to even the score at seven with 3:29 on the clock.

Another three-and-out by the Quakers along with a decent return and a penalty, the visitors were set up with only 36 yards to go. Four plays later, Hampden-Sydney scored its second touchdown of the game. The extra point was missed to the left as the lead was six (13-7) with just seven seconds left in the first.

Short possessions by each team, Guilford took over at its own six with 11:17 left in the half. GC went to a strictly ground game with 16 of its 17 plays occurring that way. Ultimately, it was Brown Jr. who ran it in from three yards out for the score. Nettles made his point after attempt to give the Quakers a 14-13 lead with 4:24 on the clock.

The Guilford defense held the Tigers in check once more and forced a punt. On the third play of GC’s next drive Jaelan Brown scrambled out of the pocket and was close to picking up the first down but as he was being tackled, the ball came loose as the defense recovered the ball.

Just one play later, Hampden-Sydney scored on a 32-yard pass. The visitors converted a two-point conversion to hold a 21-14 lead. The score remained this way until halftime.

Guilford received the opening kickoff of the new half and moved the ball near midfield. The drive stalled as the team went for it on fourth down and was unsuccessful.

Starting in Quaker territory once more, Hampden-Sydney was faced with a fourth-and-five. The Tigers quarterback rolled out to his right and threw a pass near the first down marker. Tristan Bailey broke on the ball and intercepted the pass. In stride, Bailey raced down the sideline for the 63-yard touchdown. A successful point after evened the game at 21 11:39 left in the third.

On its very next drive, Hampden-Sydney had an answer. The team covered 75 yards on 10 plays, using up 4:12 of game time to recapture the lead, 28-21. From there, both offenses struggled to move the ball for the remainder of the third quarter.

The fourth quarter was all Hampden-Sydney as Guilford punted the ball twice and fumbled the ball to the opposition. The Tigers added two more scores for the 21-point win.

On the afternoon, the Quakers ran the ball for 204 yards with five different rushers. Nick Iannone led the defensive charge with 13 total tackles.

Guilford remains at home to face Averett University on Saturday, November 4 as it is Senior Day. Start time is set for 3:00 p.m.