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Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University sophomore running back Vince Jordan (Mt. Gilead, N.C.) posted career-highs of 215 yards, 19 carries and three touchdowns as the Bulldogs rallied for a 38-17 victory over the University of West Georgia Saturday afternoon at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field.

The contest was the season opener for both teams. Wingate head coach Joe Reich has a 9-0 overall record in season openers during his illustrious Bulldog career. Reich and his WU Bulldogs host North Greenville University Saturday at 1:30 p.m. West Georgia returns home to host Lambuth (Tenn.) University Saturday night at 7 p.m.

Wingate compiled 430 yards total offense on the afternoon, averaging 6.3 yards per play. Thanks to the efforts of Jordan and his teammates, the Bulldogs rushed 43 times for 295 yards and three scores. The opportunistic hosts also forced five turnovers, intercepting four passes and recovering one fumble. Wingate converted three-of-four red zone chances.

Jordan made the most of his first career start, helping Wingate rally from an early 14-0 deficit. The Shrine Bowl participant put the hosts on the board with a two-yard scoring scamper in the second quarter. Jordan’s first TD cut Wingate’s deficit to 14-7 with 1:24 left in the first quarter, capping a 10-play, 62-yard drive.

The Bulldogs took the lead for good with a 10-0 second quarter. A 46-yard punt return by Wingate redshirt junior speedster Perry Floyd (Gastonia, N.C.) set up a touchdown to tie the score. Thanks to Floyd’s special teams heroics, Wingate redshirt senior quarterback James Hall (Concord, N.C.) hit redshirt junior wide receiver Delric Ellington (Charlotte, N.C.) with a 10-yard TD pass. The PAT from senior place kicker RP Lopez (Lakeland, Fla.) knotted the score 14-14 with 10:35 to go in the second frame.

Lopez added a 27-yard field goal with one second left in the second quarter to give the hosts the lead for keeps. The trifecta capped an 11-play, 66-yard drive. Jordan rushed six times on the go-ahead drive.

Jordan had an 83-yard TD run midway through the third quarter. He finished his scoring with a 28-yard scoring jaunt later in the third frame. Wingate’s final score was the cherry on top of the ice cream sundae, as redshirt freshman Robert Fletcher (Lancaster, S.C.) set a school-record with a 98-yard interception return for a score with 29.4 seconds to play in the contest.

West Georgia and head coach Daryl Dickey came out strong, scoring twice in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. On the opening kick-off, UWG sophomore defensive back Dontavious Smith (Donalsonville, Ga.) recovered a Wingate fumble in the Bulldog end zone to give the visitors an early 7-0 bulge.

Wolves sophomore signal-caller Kyle Padgett (Carrollton, Ga.) hit freshman wide receiver Malcolm Johnson (Bartow, Fla.) with a 22-yard TD strike to give UWG a two-touchdown edge. West Georgia junior place kicker/punter Adi Brkic (Sarajevo, Bosnia) completed the scoring for the visitors, nailing a 26-yard field goal in the third quarter.

Bulldog redshirt junior Ed Doughty (Jacksonville, Fla.) rushed 10 times for 69 yards in his Wingate offensive debut. Floyd caught three passes for 60 yards and rushed six times for 19 yards. Wingate redshirt senior Ryan Webber (Concord, N.C.) led the Bulldog receiving corps with four catches for 45 yards.

On defense, Wingate senior safety Tylan Merkerson (Oxford, Ga.) had 10 tackles and one QB sack. Fletcher had a big day in his first game in the Bulldog blue-and-gold; he added six tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery to his 98-yard interception return for pay dirt.

At halftime, the Wingate University family recognized the 2009 Bulldog softball team. Wingate won the 2009 South Atlantic Conference regular season championship and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II post-season tournament. Bulldog head coach Michelle Caddigan was the SAC Coach of the Year in 2009.