Football | 11/1/2014 5:49:00 PM

Tigerville, S.C.----North Greenville University scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to rally for a 24-14 NCAA Division II football victory over Wingate University Saturday at Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium on the NGU campus. Both Wingate and NGU are 5-4 overall following today's game (NCAA statistics book).
 
For North Greenville, sophomore running back Simeon Byrd (Spartanburg, S.C.) rushed 17 times for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Junior backfield mate Trey Walker (Graniteville, S.C.) carried 13 times for 82 yards as the Crusaders outgained the Bulldogs 384-205. NGU freshman linebacker Daulton Pilgrim (Central, S.C.) returned a blocked punt 15 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
 
Wingate senior running back Nestor Lantigua (Wellington, Fla.) compiled 73 rushing yards on 20 carries. His three-yard TD run gave the Bulldogs a 14-10 advantage with 9:19 remaining in the third quarter. Bulldog redshirt sophomore defensive end Andre Foulks (York, S.C.) had eight tackles and a career-high three quarterback sacks. Redshirt senior defensive back Jakeem Polk (Lakeland, Fla.) had a career-high two interceptions.
 
North Greenville led 10-7 at intermission. The Crusaders started the second half by going three-and-out. A 32-yard punt gave the Bulldogs possession on the NGU 41-yard line. Lantigua did the heavy lifting, as he ran on seven of the nine plays during the drive. He opened the march with a seven-yard rush and finished with a three-yard scoring scamper. Redshirt senior place kicker Patrick Smith (Hickory, N.C.) tacked on the extra point to give Wingate a 14-10 lead with 9:19 to go in the third frame.
 
The two teams traded punts. Wingate's boot gave North Greenville great field position at the hosts' 49-yard line. Two plays later, NGU junior quarterback Nelson Hughes (Roebuck, S.C.) threw his second interception to Polk. The Bulldogs took over possession on their own 46-yard line.
 
Lantigua went to work, toting the pigskin six times. Two North Greenville personal foul penalties aided the Bulldog drive as the visitors moved the ball to the Crusader 10-yard line for a first-and-goal situation. A WU holding penalty moved the ball back 10 yards. On the next play, NGU senior defensive back Quantel Mack (Williston, S.C.) intercepted WU redshirt sophomore quarterback Kyle Johnson (Hickory, N.C.) at the hosts' 14-yard line.
 
The Crusaders could not capitalize, punting the ball back to the Bulldogs early in the fourth quarter. Wingate went three-and-out, facing fourth-and-nine from the WU 21-yard line. Pilgrim broke through the Bulldog line and blocked the punt of Wingate redshirt freshman punter Chandler Phillips (Lutz, Fla.). Pilgrim returned the loose ball 15 yards for the go-ahead score.
 
Wingate did not move the ball past midfield the rest of the way. Byrd scored an insurance touchdown on a 44-yard run with 4:19 left in the contest. NGU senior place kicker Justin Gravely (Pickens, S.C.) added the PAT to complete the scoring. Gravely has converted 37-of-37 extra points and 12-of-16 field goals this season.
 
In the first half, Wingate benefitted from a 19-yard NGU punt (into a 25-mile per hour wind) to score its first points. The Bulldogs needed only two plays to move 39 yards, as Johnson connected with redshirt junior wide receiver Jiwan Funderburk (Pageland, S.C.) for a 36-yard touchdown with 3:11 to play in the second quarter. Smith booted the PAT to make the score 10-7 Crusaders.
 
North Greenville scored three points on its second possession. The Crusaders moved the ball 45 yards on nine plays (3:11 time elapsed). The drive stalled and Gravely put the hosts on the board with a 32-yard field goal.
 
The Crusaders converted an interception into six points on their next possession. NGU concluded a 56-yard, five-play drive (2:05 time elapsed) when Byrd carried the ball 25 yards to pay dirt. Gravely's extra point gave the hosts a 10-0 lead with 3:43 left in the first quarter.
 
Wingate junior defensive back Nortavious Otis (Gastonia, N.C.) had 10 tackles to top the Bulldog charts. Redshirt senior defensive end Nick Napolitano (Shallotte, N.C.) matched Foulks with eight tackles. Three Wingate players recorded six tackles each, including redshirt senior defensive back Jon Jimenez (Scottsdale, Ariz.), who also recovered an NGU fumble.
 
North Greenville sophomore linebacker Sam Houston (Easley, S.C.) led both teams with 14 tackles. Three Crusaders had 11 tackles each: junior linebacker Taylor Anderson (Boiling Springs, S.C.), sophomore defensive back Tony Godbolt (Fort Mill, S.C.) and sophomore linebacker Quan Weeks (Gaffney, S.C.). The NGU defense compiled 10 tackles for loss, nine pass break-ups, five QB sacks and three interceptions.
 
Wingate returns home Saturday, hosting Mars Hill for a 1:30 p.m. Senior Day/Tailgating for the Troops contest. North Greenville hits the road, visiting Catawba Saturday for a 1:30 p.m. tilt.