BOX SCORE      PHOTO GALLERY

 Wingate, N.C.----Wingate University redshirt senior defensive back Terrence Stephens (Warner Robins, Ga.) blocked the potential game-tying field goal with 29 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to preserve Wingate's 27-24 victory over the Bears of Lenoir-Rhyne University Saturday afternoon. The Bulldogs remain tied for first place in the SAC, improving to 6-2 overall and 4-1 in the league. LRU falls to 5-4 overall and 2-3 in the SAC.

Redshirt junior quarterback Cody Haffly (Locust Grove, Ga.) completed 20-of-29 passes for 300 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Chris Bowden (Forsyth, Ga.) caught four passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jared Seate (Charlotte, N.C.) piled up 17 tackles on the afternoon. Redshirt senior place kicker RP Lopez (Lakeland, Fla.) kicked two fourth quarter field goals as the Bulldogs defeated the Bears for the sixth straight year.

Lenoir-Rhyne had a chance to force overtime but junior placekicker Colin Corpe (Ocala, Fla.) had his 47-yard field goal attempt blocked by Stephens. Corpe had converted four field goals in a SAC victory over Tusculum College last week.

The Bears opened the scoring early in the first quarter when junior quarterback Major Herron (Kingsland, Ga.) ran it in from one yard out after redshirt freshman Graham Duncan (Gainesville, Ga.) returned a muff snap on a Wingate punt 31 yards to the Bulldog one-yard line.

Wingate tied the contest at seven on the first play of the second quarter when Haffly found Bowden for a 34-yard touchdown reception. The drive (four plays and 70 yards) was set up by Haffly’s 50-yard completion to Bowden on third and 19.

Herron broke the seven-all tie with his second touchdown of the game (a four-yard run) that finished a seven-play, 69-yard drive with 8:36 remaining in the second quarter. The score gave the Bears a 14-7 advantage. Herron’s 44-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Artis Gilmore (Asheville, N.C.) was the key play in the drive.

Another Haffly-to-Bowden touchdown pass (20 yards) tied the game once again at 14-14 before Corpe gave the Bears a 17-14 advantage with a 25-yard field goal at the 2:25 mark of the second half. Wingate took the lead at intermission on Haffly’s third touchdown toss of the contest, a 15-yarder to senior All-American Perry Floyd (Gastonia, N.C.) with only five seconds left on the second quarter clock. The play was set up by a 29-yard interception return by redshirt senior defensive back Tyrone Scott (Jacksonville, N.C.) to the L-R 16-yard line.

Lenoir-Rhyne went ahead once again at 24-21 after taking the opening kick-off of the second half and marching 72 yards and 11 plays. The drive was concluded with a seven-yard TD run by Bear senior running back James Pone (Wilson, N.C.). Wingate tied the game at 24 when Lopez nailed a 23-yard field goal with 10:17 left in the contest. His 25-yarder on the Bulldogs’ next drive proved to be the game-winner with 3:48 to play.

L-R was led by junior fullback Byron Darby (Gastonia, N.C.) and his career-high 127 yards on 22 carries. The Bears’ defense finished with six quarterback sacks, including 3.5 by sophomore linebacker Chris Carter (Jamestown, N.C.).

The Bulldogs will conclude a two-game home stand next Saturday, celebrating Sports Hall of Fame Day against Mars Hill College (1:30 p.m. start). In addition, Wingate will honor 17 seniors in pre-game festivities. Lenoir-Rhyne remains on the road next weekend when the Bears travel to Jefferson City, Tenn., to take on the Eagles of Carson-Newman College Saturday at 2 p.m.

NOTES

Wingate’s eight 2010 games have been decided by seven points or less. Wingate is 12-13 overall in senior college homecoming football games. The Bulldogs and the Bears have battled in five WU homecoming games. Wingate has won the last two homecoming encounters with Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears lead the series between the two schools 15 10; however, Wingate has won eight of the last nine meetings between the two rivals. Lenoir-Rhyne is one of two teams (Mars Hill is the other) Wingate has played every year since the institution revitalized football in 1986.

(Special thanks to Lenoir-Rhyne University sports information director John Karrs for providing information for this story.)