Hornets Offense Stings Quakers at Home

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Guilford College football dropped a hard-fought 52-25 decision at the hands of Shenandoah University on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS

Scores: Shenandoah 52, Guilford 25
Records: Shenandoah 4-1 (2-1 ODAC), Guilford 1-3 (0-3 ODAC)
Location: Appenzeller Field at the Armfield Athletic Center - Greensboro, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The visitors were able to open a 24-0 lead by the middle of the second quarter, making light of the Guilford defense.
Guilford's first score of the contest was impressive, as Kamari Norman returned a kickoff to the house, an 85 yard effort with 8:49 remaining in the half. The SU defense was able to block Burke Nettles' extra-point attempt to keep the score 24-6.
The Hornets answered just 40 seconds later with a drive that covered 82 yards to extend their lead to 18 points, 31-6.
Continuing a busy second stanza - one that saw five touchdowns - Tre Alexander scored his first touchdown on the day on a 27-yard pass to cap off a nice 61 yard drive (31-13). Leading up to the score, Bailey Baker and Paulie Menegay recorded back-to-back first downs.
Shenandoah asserted its dominance once more, scoring with 27 seconds remaining in the half. Guilford had a good attempt to close it out, highlighted by a Norman first down.
After receiving the ball to open the second half, Guilford used a long 6:43 drive, thanks in part to a roughing the kicker penalty and a penalty on 3rd and 25 to add another touchdown to the board. GC's tally was a 5-yard rush from Menegay at 8:17. The squad decided to go for two, but the rookie was stopped short of the endzone (39-19).
Just 1:29 later, Derek Stokes intercepted a Steven Hugney pass in the middle of the field and returned it for seven yards.
GC forced a Shenandoah timeout with 43 seconds remaining in the frame, sitting at 4th and 3 on the Hornets' 3 yard line. The Quakers were unable to score, turning the ball over on downs.
The fourth quarter started out with a 96-yard drive down the field by the opposition, which was capped off by a quarterback keeper score by Hugney to make it a 26-point contest, 45-19.
For the Quakers, Alexander found the end zone on an 18-yard pass from Baker. They again decided to go for two and were stopped by SU, 45-25.
Nettles attempted an on-side kick to give the ball back to Guilford. While his attempt was stunning, it bounced out of bounds at the visitor 46 yard line.
SU capitalized on the field position and went on a 46 yard rush, followed by a 1 yard touchdown run to close out the contest, 52-25.

FACING OFF

Guilford was efficient on fourth down conversions with a mark of 75-percent (3-for-4), while Shenandoah was only 67-percent (2-of-3).
GC also won the returned yardage with a tally of 187 to 116.

TOP PERFORMING QUAKERS

At quarterback, Bailey Back was 14-for-25 on completion, throwing for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Baker also had 13 rushes for 74 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
Continuing to lead the scoring for Guilford, Tre Alexander posted his fifth and sixth touchdowns of the season, good enough to lead the ODAC in this stat. Alexander had five catches for 81 yards.
Behind Baker in the rushing category was Joey Strong Jr. with nine carries for 41 yards and Paulie Menegay with 12 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown.
Coming in to relieve the quarterback, Derrien Phillips had three carries for 28 yards and one pass for 24.
Kamari Norman, who owned the Quakers' first TD, finished the day with one catch for eight yards and five kickoff returns for 173 yards.
On defense, Derek Stokes had one interception for seven yards, seven tackles and two pass breakups.
Trey Buie had himself a day, leading the tackle category with 11, on 10 solos and one assisted.
Montrel Cooper had seven tackles and one pass breakup.
On the extra-point attempt, Burke Nettles was 1-for-2. Nettles had five kickoffs for 245 yards.

TOP PERFORMING HORNETS

Quarterback Steven Hugney had himself a day, going 16-for-31 on competitions for 285 yards and four touchdowns. Hugney has had eight carries for 64 yards and one touchdown.
Rashadeen Byrd, Jr. led his team in rushes with 18 for 143 yards and two touchdowns.
Leading the wide receiver corps was Brant Butler with his five catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Butler averaged 28.6 yards per reception.
Also recording scores was Andre Jackson and Austin Ragan.
Kicking for the Hornets, Patrick Ritchies was good for 10 points on seven made PATs and one field goal. He also had eight kickoffs for 431 yards.
Leading the defense was Ben Burgan with his 14 tackles (8 solo, 6 assisted) and .5 sac.