Mars Hill, N.C.----Mars Hill University running backs Shaikel Davis (East Flat Rock, N.C.) and Jamel Harbison (Charlotte, N.C) combined for 265 total rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Lions claimed a 42-24 South Atlantic Conference victory over Wingate University at the Ammons Family Athletic Center Saturday. Mars Hill improves to 5-5 overall and 4-2 in the SAC. Wingate is 6-4 overall and 3-3 in SAC competition.

Wingate redshirt junior quarterback Kyle Johnson (Hickory, N.C.) was 20-for-40 passing for 296 yards and one touchdown. Junior wide receiver Jordan Berry (Irmo, S.C.) had seven catches for 145 yards and one touchdown. The All-SAC performer had a season-high in total receiving yards. Redshirt junior wide receiver Jody Fuller (Indian Trail, N.C.) had six catches for 92 yards.
 
Mars Hill accumulated 528 yards of total offense on the day. MHU senior quarterback Matt Layman (Bluffton, S.C.) completed 11-of-20 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. His go-to receiver for the afternoon was sophomore Keshaun Taylor (Homestead, Fla.), who had nine receptions for 188 yards.
 
The Mars Hill offense was firing on all cylinders right from the start. On their first play from scrimmage, the Lions posted an 83-yard scoring connection from Layman to freshman wide receiver Gilbert Johnson (Homestead, Fla.) 22 seconds into the contest. Layman and Taylor connected on a 73-yard TD pass later in the first frame. The Lions scored a touchdown on five straight drives (spanning the first and second quarters) to take a 40-16 lead to the halftime locker room.
 
On the defensive side for Wingate, senior linebackers Charlie Hosea (Newhall, Calif.) and Eric Mapoles (Snellville, Ga.) had eight solo tackles each. Junior defensive lineman Ray Edwards (Sacramento, Calif.) had seven tackles on the day, with two tackles for loss and one sack. The Lion defense recorded eight quarterback sacks Saturday. Sophomore linebacker Jerjuan Edwards (Charlotte, N.C.) and senior defensive lineman Christiaan Davis (Tallahassee, Fla.) had two sacks each.
 
Wingate junior place kicker Caleb Baird (Kinston, N.C.) had a career day, going three-for-three on field goals Saturday. He converted kicks from 41, 40 and 32 yards. Baird boomed six kick-offs for 329 yards (54.8 yards per kick). Redshirt freshman running back Devin Towns (Tucker, Ga.) returned three kick-offs for 97 yards and with a career-high 53-yard return.
 
Wingate hosts the Newberry College Wolves next Saturday. Kick-off at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field is slated for 1:30 p.m. Wingate will hold its annual Senior Day festivities. The Bulldog football program will honor 17 hard-working young men for their valiant efforts on the field and in the classroom the last four years. In addition, Wingate will celebrate Sports Hall of Fame Weekend and Student-Athlete Appreciation Day.
 
(Wingate University sports information/sports network student assistant Jackson Kaplan contributed this article. A freshman from Raleigh, Kaplan is a Communication Studies major at Wingate. The former Millbrook High School baseball player is the son of Harrison and Dona Kaplan.)