Greenwood, S.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs bounced back from its loss last week, rolling to a 31-7 Saturday afternoon victory at Erskine College in South Atlantic Conference football action at J.W. Babb Stadium. The Bulldogs improve to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the SAC, while the Flying Fleet drop to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in league play.
 
KEY STATS
 
- Wingate out-gained Erskine 435-146
- The Bulldogs racked up season-highs with 206 rushing yards and 227 passing yards
- The Flying Fleet rushed for 109 yards, while being limited to 37 passing yards
- WU piled up 26 first downs to just seven for Erskine
- Wingate was eight-for-15 on third downs, while limiting the Flying Fleet to just two-for-10
- The 'Dogs were unsuccessful in the lone fourth down attempt of the contest
- Wingate was a perfect three-for-three on red zone chances; the Bulldogs kept Erskine out of the red zone
- Erskine threw two interceptions, while the Bulldogs were turnover-free
- The Bulldogs were dominant in time of possession, keeping the ball for over 41 minutes
 
KEY BULLDOGS
 
- Shaw Crocker completed 21-of-27 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns
- Alexander Wilson ran for 82 yards and two first-half scores
- Myles Dillon caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown
- Jacob Polight made an 11-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter
- Jordon Thomas recorded two tackles and an interception
- Derrick Witherspoon also had a pick for the Bulldog defense
- Kalen Clark rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries
- O'Brien Barnett was the third Bulldog with at least 50 yards on the ground with 55
- Kamal Desor caught three passes for 42 yards
- Ra'Quan Simmons hauled in two passes for 41 yards
- Jaquan Edwards led the 'Dogs defensively with seven tackles
- Marquise Fleming added five tackles, including 1.5 for a loss
- Dontarian Best and Daniel Morrison teamed up for Wingate's only sack of the afternoon
- Ethan Evans hit a 38-yard field goal, while averaging 45 yards per punt on four tries
 
FIRST QUARTER
 
- The 'Dogs marched down the field in their opening drive, but stalled in Erskine territory, settling for Evans' 38-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead
- Erskine converted one first down on their opening drive, but punted to the Bulldogs, who started their next drive at their own 30-yard line
- Wingate went 70 yards in 11 plays to take a 10-0 lead
- Wilson's nine-yard run got the ball to midfield
- Crocker hit Desor on third and 18 for 28 yards to the Erskine 11
- Wilson scored from 11 yards out
- A Bulldog interception was negated by an offside penalty on the ensuing possession
- The Flying Fleet ultimately punted, with a solid return from Simmons setting Wingate up at its own 45
- The 'Dogs worked the ball into Erskine territory as the first quarter winded down
- A nine-yard Barnett run got it to the Erskine 40 on the final play of the frame
 
SECOND QUARTER

- Crocker connected with Damian Sutton for an 18-yard completion on third and 11
- Barnett added an eight-yard run to get it to the EC 11
- Crocker hit Polight from 11 yards out to make it 17-0
- The Bulldogs forced another Erskine three-and-out, taking over at their own 43-yard line
- The WU defense forced two more three and outs and looked to add to the lead late in the half
- A 19-yard punt set the 'Dogs up in Erskine territory with 1:38 left
- Crocker hooked up with Simmons for 33 yards to get it to the Flying Fleet three yard line
- Wilson punched it in from there for his second TD of the day put the 'Dogs up 24-0
 
THIRD QUARTER
 
- The 'Dogs stuffed Erskine on the first drive of the half, then took over at their own 20
- Wingate got into Erskine territory, with three Wilson runs getting it to the EC 22
- Crocker hit Dillon for a 23-yard touchdown to make it 31-0
- Erskine's Austin Parker scored on a 76-yard run on third and 11 to put the Flying Fleet on the board
- The teams traded punts throughout the rest of the quarter
 
FOURTH QUARTER
 
- Wingate punted on its opening possession, but got it right back, as Thomas recorded his first interception of the year
- Witherspoon followed with a pick on the next Erskine drive
- The Bulldogs forced one more Flying Fleet punt, then got the ball back with 2:56 to go
- Wingate was able to run out the remaining clock to earn its fourth win of the season
 
UP NEXT
 
- The 'Dogs return to Irwin Belk Stadium next Saturday, hosting Catawba for a 6 p.m. kick