Mars Hill, N.C.----The 17th-ranked Wingate University Bulldogs set a school-record for victories in a season (10) and points in a game (64) in a come-from-behind 64-34 South Atlantic Conference football victory over Mars Hill University Saturday afternoon at Meares Stadium. Wingate closes out the regular season at 10-1 overall and 7-1 in the SAC, while the MHU Lions complete their season 5-6 overall and 4-4 in the SAC. The 'Dogs trailed 22-9 late in the second quarter before outscoring Mars Hill 55-12 over the final 31 minutes.
 
THOUGHTS FROM HEAD COACH JOE REICH
 
Opening thoughts on today's game – "Mars Hill is a really explosive team. They started the game out with a touchdown. Throughout the first half, they were making plays and we weren't. To end the first half with a TD and to come out and score on the opening drive of the second half and follow with a turnover set the tone for the rest of the game."
 
How big was the score at the end of the first half to change the momentum of the game – "This was huge! The offense did a great job making plays and we did not want to give Mars Hill any time left in the second quarter, but we wanted to give ourselves time to score. Shaw Crocker made two great throws to set us up for the score. We knew we were going to start the second half with the ball."
 
Thoughts about the team's first 10-win season and record for points in a game – "It is awesome for our guys. We did not win the conference, so you always want to have something big to end your regular season. We have been so close before, but for this senior class to accomplish this, I am extremely proud of them."

NOTES

- Wingate's 10 wins is a program-first in the NCAA era
- The Bulldogs had won nine games each in the previous three seasons
- Wingate is the number 17 in the AFCA top 25; the 'Dogs have been ranked all year
- Wingate is ranked fourth in the NCAA Super Region 2 poll
- Wingate is seeking its third straight play-off appearance and fourth all-time
- The Bulldogs are 36-10 since 2016; most wins of any SAC team
- The 'Dogs have won 16 of their last 17 regular season games
- WU outscoring opponents 626-333 in the streak
- The Bulldogs have won 17 of their last 19 contests overall
- The Bulldogs are a league-best 23-6 in SAC play since 2016
- WU outscoring opponents 118-43 in the third
- The 'Dogs have 27 straight wins when scoring at least 30 points
- WU has scored at least 30 points 15 times since beginning of '18
- Third time this season the Bulldogs have had two 100-yard rushers

KEY STATS

- The two teams combined for 1013 yards total offense; Wingate had a season-high 550
- Wingate had 279 yards rushing, while holding Mars Hill to 29 yards on the ground
- The Bulldogs had 17 quarterback hurries and nine tackles for losses
- Wingate had the ball for 31:06 to win the time of possession battle
- The visitors converted the game's only turnover (an MHU fumble) into a TD
- Wingate had 12 penalties for 116 yards; Mars Hill had 10 for 62 yards
- WU scored on all eight red zone trips

KEY BULLDOGS

- Domineke McNeill ran for 130 yards and three touchdowns
- Nijere Peoples rushed for 111 yards and one score
- Shaw Crocker was 19-for-28 for 271 yards and four touchdowns
- BJ Muckelvene caught seven passes for 115 yards and one TD
- Wingate's tight ends combined for five receptions and three touchdowns
- Ryder Martin had two TD catches, while Mason Flynt had one
- RaQuan Simmons returned a third quarter kick-off 95 yards for a TD
- Jesiah Carlton had a team-best four QB hurries
- Tre Morrison had a team-high eight tackles
- Drew Smith was one of three 'Dogs to post three QB hurries
- Smith added two QB sacks and 2.5 tackles for losses
- Cal Hanford had seven tackles, two TFLs, a QB sack, a forced fumble and three QB hurries

FIRST QUARTER

- Mars Hill's first play from scrimmage was a 75-yard TD pass  
- McLean Robertson ended an 11-play, 72-yard drive with a field goal for WU's first points
- MHU answered with a field goal on an almost identical drive to finish the first quarter scoring
 
SECOND QUARTER

- After another MHU field goal, Domineke McNeill rumbled 83 yards for a score
- Tied for the third longest run in school history; McNeill's second career run of over 75 yards
- The Lions answered with a safety and touchdown to go up 22-9
- Crocker finished a 14-play, 81-yard drive with a TD pass to Mason Flynt
- The Crocker-to-Flynt scoring connection with nine seconds left made the score 22-16 MHU

THIRD QUARTER

- Wingate outscored Mars Hill 28-6 in the pivotal third quarter
- Ryder Martin sandwiched his two TD catches around one from BJ Muckelvene
- Martin's second TD grab with 3:21 to go made the score 37-22 'Dogs
- After a MHU touchdown, RaQuan Simmons did his magic with a 95-yard kick-off return
- The Simmons kick-off return for a TD gave WU a 44-28 lead entering the fourth frame
- This is the sophomore's first career kick return touchdown

FOURTH QUARTER
- Mars Hill opened the fourth with its final TD
- Nijere Peoples answered with his 23rd career touchdown
- Domineke McNeill put the icing on the cake with two TD scampers
- The senior now has career-highs of 10 touchdowns and 944 rushing yards this season

UP NEXT

- The Bulldogs will learn about their playoff fate Sunday night
- The selection show will air at 5 p.m. on NCAA.com
- The NCAA Division II play-offs begin Nov. 23
- The top seed gets a bye, while seeds 2-4 host an opening round contest
- WU is looking to host its third playoff game in program history
- Wingate will look to make its fourth playoff appearance all-time