Wingate, N.C.----The Wingate University Bulldogs cut an 18-point second-half deficit to three in Saturday night's home opener against #21 Newberry in South Atlantic Conference football action at Irwin Belk Stadium and Founders Field, but the Wolves were able to hang on for a 25-22 victory. Newberry moves to 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the SAC, while Wingate falls to 1-3 overall and 0-2 in league play.
KEY STATS
- Newberry had 308 passing yards and 108 rushing yards for 416 yards of offense
- Wingate had 299 passing yards and 51 rushing yards for 350 total yards
- The Bulldogs had a 23-16 edge in first downs
- The 'Dogs had three of the four turnovers on the night
- Newberry was five-for-14 on third down; Wingate went four-for-13
- The Wolves held the ball for just over 32 minutes on the night
KEY BULLDOGS
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Brooks Brien went 21-for-37 for 299 yards and three touchdowns
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Xavier Jackson piled up eight catches for 162 yards and a pair of TDs
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Jayshawn Appling ran for 21 yards on the night
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Aaron Griffin had five receptions for 52 yards
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Kayden Bash added three grabs for 46 yards and a touchdown
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David Squires had 11 tackles for the 'Dogs
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Paul Thompson added seven tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack
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Jaden White had six tackles, a sack, a pass break-up and two blocked kicks
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Tyson Brown added six tackles with 1.5 TFLs and a QB hurry
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Anthony Dangerfield had four tackles and two pass break-ups
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Ephraim Wright had three tackles and an interception
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Chris Harris added five tackles with 1.5 TFLs
FIRST QUARTER
- Newberry looked to take a lead late in the quarter, attempting a 43-yard field goal
- White blocked the kick, with Wright picking it up and returning it 40 yards to the WU 45
- Brien hit Jackson for 26 yards on the first play of the ensuing drive, getting inside the NC 30
- Brien then hit Bash for a 26-yard touchdown to put the 'Dogs on top 7-0
SECOND QUARTER
- A Jake Spadavecchia 32-yard field goal made it 7-3 with 10:28 left in the half
- Spadavecchia added a 30-yard field goal seven minutes later, cutting the lead to one
- The Wolves looked to take a halftime lead, driving it to the WU 12 with under two minutes left
- Wright picked off Newberry quarterback Mason Kidd to help Wingate maintain a 7-6 halftime edge
THIRD QUARTER
- Kidd connected with DeAndre Coleman for a 31-yard touchdown, giving the Wolves a 12-7 lead
- An interception on the ensuing drive set Newberry up at the Wingate 28
- Kidd hit Keshon Washington from 21 yards out, making it 19-7 at the 8:47 mark
- Kidd connected with Coleman again for a 28-yard TD to give NC a 25-7 cushion with 6:22 to go
- Wingate answered with a 75-yard touchdown drive
- Brien connected with Griffin for 10 and 11-yard receptions to get it near midfield
- A Brien eight-yard scramble helped set up a first down at Newberry's 23
- Brien hit Jackson in the left corner of the end zone
- Brien then found
Jesse Clinesmith for the two-point conversion, making it 25-15
FOURTH QUARTER
- Wingate got the ball back at the 4:17 mark and went on a 79-yard scoring drive
- An 18-yard reception for
Jason Willis and 10-yard Bash grab got it to midfield
- Jackson then caught one over the middle and took it 45 yards to the house, making it 25-22 at the 2:46 mark
- Newberry punted it back to Wingate, with the 'Dogs taking over inside their own 10 with 15 seconds left
- Brooks hit Jackson for nine yards and
Zymill Patterson for 16 yards, but that would be as far as the Bulldogs would make it
UP NEXT
- Wingate is back in action Saturday, hosting UVA Wise at 6 p.m.
