Wingate, N.C.----The nation's top-ranked scoring defense was on full display Saturday night as the Wingate University Bulldogs notched their first shutout since the 2018 season opener in a 28-0 victory over Catawba College in South Atlantic Conference football action at Irwin Belk Stadium. Wingate improves to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SAC, while the Indians fall to 1-4 overall an 0-3 in league play.
KEY STATS
- The Bulldogs outgained Catawba 360-140 on the night
- Wingate had 215 passing yards and 145 rushing yards
- The Indians had 110 passing yards and 30 rushing yards
- The 'Dogs held a 21-8 advantage in first downs
- WU went five-for-12 on third downs; Catawba was three-for-13
- The Bulldogs scored on all three redzone trips; the Indians never made it into the redzone
- Wingate entered the night leading the nation in third-down defense and redzone defense
- The 'Dogs held the ball for over 35 minutes on the night
- Catawba had the only turnover of the night
KEY BULLDOGS
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Shaw Crocker went 15-for-26 for 215 yards and a TD, adding 23 rushing yards
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Kalen Clark ran for 49 yards and a touchdown, adding a 27-yard reception
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O'Brien Barnett added 44 rushing yards and a touchdown
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Alexander Wilson went for 25 yards and a TD on four carries, adding a 13-yard catch
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Austin Cain had two catches for 49 yards and a touchdown
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Sam Hayes added three receptions for 37 yards
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Ra'Quan Simmons added three grabs for 29 yards
- 10 different Bulldogs had at least one catch
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Jaquan Edwards led the way with nine tackles on the night
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Davon Gilmore added five tackles including a sack, adding two pass break-ups
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Dontorian Best added a sack;
DJ Horne had four tackles including a TFL, adding a QB hurry
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Marquise Fleming had four tackles and four hurries, adding a pass break-up
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Tre Morrison had four tackles including a TFL, adding a pass break-up
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Dequan Mosley registered an interception
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Ethan Evans averaged 50.2 yards per punt on five punts with a long of 67
- He also made all four PATs and had three touchbacks on five kickoffs
FIRST QUARTER
- Wingate forced a Catawba three-and-out on the opening possession
- The 'Dogs took over at their own 30 and went 70 yards on 11 plays
- Wilson had a 12-yard run and 13-yard catch to get it into Catawba territory
- Crocker hit Clark for 27 yards to set up a first down at the 12
- Crocker hit Simmons on third and six to set up a first and goal
- Wilson punched it in from two yards out
SECOND QUARTER
- An Evans punt pinned Catawba at its own 12
- A Gilmore sack and
Justin Rhodes TFL pushed the Indians back to their own one
- Catawba punted out of its own end zone, which Simmons returned to the Indian 39 yard line
- Crocker hit Hayes for 12 yards to get it to the Catawba 27
- Barnett's nine-yard run got it inside the five
- Barnett scored from three yards out to make it 14-0
FOURTH QUARTER
- Wingate's 14-play, 84-yard drive spanned the third and fourth quarters
- Clark's 11-yard run on third and nine set up a first down inside the Catawba 30
- Crocker hooked up with Simmons for 18 yards to set the 'Dogs up inside the five
- Clark scored from three yards out to make it 21-0 with 11 minutes left
- The WU defense stuffed Catawba on third and one and fourth and one to take over around midfield
- Crocker hit Hayes for 12 yards to start the drive
- He then connected with Cain for a 46-yard touchdown to put the 'Dogs on top by 28
UP NEXT
- Wingate is back in action next Saturday, traveling to Limestone for a noon kickoff
- The 'Dogs return home Oct. 22 to host Barton at 6 p.m. on Homecoming
