Guilford Fails to Outlast H-SC Comeback in Near Upset

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. -- The Guilford College football team nearly upset Hampden-Sydney College at home on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell 28-27.

THE BASICS

Scores: Hampden-Sydney 28, Guilford 27
Records: Hampden-Sydney 2-2 (2-0 ODAC), Guilford 1-2 (0-2 ODAC)
Location: Appenzeller Field at the Armfield Athletic Center - Greensboro, N.C.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Guilford College was kicked the ball to start the game, and took no time asserting itself as an offensive force, scoring on the opening drive. It took five plays that spanned 30 yards for Guilford to score. It was a 23-yard pass from Bailey Baker to Tre Alexander to make it 6-0. Burke Nettles' extra point attempt was good to make it 7-0.
GC went up 14-0, again on an Alexander touchdown. The senior's second score of the contest was a 10 yard reception at 4:16. Again, Nettles' point after try was good.
The visitors were able to find the endzone with 1:42 remaining in the opening quarter, as Josh Johns rushed for a five yard touchdown. The extra point kick by Palmer Smith was good to make it 14-7 heading into the second.
Quarter two saw six points on a pair of Nettles' field goals. The first of his attempts was a 30-yard tally at 12:04, while the second was 38-yards with 13 seconds remaining.
The hosts owned a 20-7 lead into the half.
Quarter three saw a handful of turnovers from both squads, but was slow in terms of scoring. The Tigers owned the lone touchdown, which came with 52 seconds remaining. They scored on a 52 yard pass from Tanner Brenard to Nick Kallivokas for a score. Smith's extra point kick was good to make it 20-14.
The final quarter was intense, with H-SC taking the lead at 9:23 on a short 4 yard rush by Josh Jones and a Smith extra point (21-20).
Guilford regained the lead with 3:13 left on the clock, as Paulie Menegay was able to convert on a 9 yard rush. Again, Nettles' kick was good to make it 27-21.
With less than two minutes left, the Tigers converted on its second 52 yard touchdown attempt, this time scored by Braeden Bowling. The scoring drive took 1:09 and was composed of six plays to go up 28-27.
GC had one last drive to try and even the score but it was not enough. The visitors got the ball back with seconds left and knelt the ball to end the contest.

FACING OFF

Guilford had 22 first downs, one more than Hampden-Sydney.
GC was also more efficient on fourth down, going 3-for-5.

TOP PERFORMING QUAKERS

Quarterback Bailey Baker compiled 268 passing yards, going 24-for-48. He threw for two touchdowns.
Tre Alexander owned a team-best 12 points on his pair of scores. Alexander now has four touchdowns on the season.
Rookie Paulie Menegay rushed for 26 yards on six attempts, while scoring one 9-yard touchdown.
In charge of extra points and field goals, Burke Nettles posted nine points on three extra points and two field goals. Nettles was a perfect 3-for-3 on the PAT and was 2-for-3 on field goal attempts.
On defense, Tyrese Pettaway had four solo tackles, two assisted tackles and .5 sacks.
Also compiling four solo tackles and two assisted tackles was Ty Walker.
Jaden James continues to be an interception specialist, collecting two on the day. James now has four.
Xavier Gardner, Logan Dodson and Milad Aghaiepour all had a fumble return.

TOP PERFORMING TIGERS

Quarterback Tanner Brenard threw for 291 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Josh Jones led the scoring for his squad with two rushing touchdowns. Jones had 44 yards on nine attempts.
Braeden Bowling and Nick Kallivokas each had scores of their own. Bowling had 143 yards while Kallivokas had 71 to finish the day.
Leading the defense was Tobias LaFayette who had five solo tackles and two play break-ups.
Stephen Cash was also a defensive front-runner with six total tackles, four solo and two assisted.
Will Pickren, Hunter Space and Aj Hoggard all had an interception.