The Guilford College football team faced the Methodist University Monarchs in the home opener of the season. The Monarchs jumped out to an early lead and never looked back as the Quakers fell 49-16.

Guilford (1-1) won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick. Bailey Baker hit passes of 19, 14 and 26 yards to the company of Tre Alexander, Thomas Laws and JuJu Rice. The Quakers were positioned at the Methodist seven yardline. After a false start on second down, the drive stalled as GC turned it over on downs.

Taking over at its own 12, Methodist (1-1) marched down the field effectively. The Monarchs used nine plays to cover 88 yards in 3:37 as it scored the first touchdown of the game. After a successful extra point kick, the visitors led 7-0 at 7:26 mark.

On the second play of the next Guilford drive, Bailey was intercepted as MU began at its own 36. Methodist once again used nine plays to find the endzone and double its lead (14-0). On the ensuing kickoff, the Quakers fumbled the ball as Monarchs recovered the loose ball at the GC 25.

After a four-yard pass, Methodist's Brandon Bullins connected with Kobe Praylow for the 21-yard score. Another successful extra point, the visitors garnered a three-score lead (21-0) with 1:32 remaining in the first.

Guilford's third drive started at its own 27 and with plays from Paulie Menegay and Brodey King, the Quakers had second and short to start the second quarter. After the field direction flipped, Baker found Alexander down the right side for an 18-yard gain to set up first and 10 at the Methodist 22.

On second down, Guilford suffered an illegal block penalty that moved it back to the MU 30. After two incomplete passes, Baker was intercepted at the 11 yard line where the Monarchs took over.


Methodist fell short of a first down on its next drive and punted the ball back to the Quakers. After a penalty on the kick, Guilford found itself on the visitors' 37. After a couple first down pickups, GC was set up at the Monarchs 14. After a nine-yard scramble from Baker, GC looked primed to have a first and goal. However, two incomplete passes and a one-yard loss, Guilford turned the ball over on downs.

The visitors used chunk plays of 29, 28, 12 and 21 yards to set up first and goal at the GC one. After an incomplete pass, Tyquan Eaddy pushed his way through the offensive line into the endzone. Methodist led 28-0 with 2:55 remaining in the half.

Guilford took over at its own 33 and after four passes over 10 yards, Baker set up the Quakers at Methodist 34 with a fresh set of downs. GC kept the ball moving and after a first down pick up at the eight yardline, the team took a timeout with one second left in the half. After the timeout, Baker dropped back and looked for Matthew Kidd but the pass fell incomplete and both teams headed for the locker at the half. Methodist led 28-0.

To open the third, both teams exchanged possessions until the 5:37 mark when Methodist took over at the Guilford 44. The Monarchs used four plays to cover the 44 yards and opened the lead to 35.

On the ensuing drive for the Quakers, the team used five rushes including four from Demark Howell for a total of 13 yards. On third and seven at the GC 42, Baker found Alexander streaking down the left side for the 58-yard score. Guilford went for the two-point conversion and converted the attempt with a pass to King. With 1:45 to go in the third, Methodist led 35-8.

After a three-and-out, Methodist punted the ball to the Quakers but the reception was muffed as the visitors recovered at the Guilford 20. Two plays later, the Monarchs scored just four seconds into the fourth and led 42-8.

On Guilford's next drive, Baker completed six-straight passes to cover 73 yards. After a defensive pass interference, GC had first and goal at the two and Howell rushed through the middle of the line for the score. Another successful two-point conversion, the Quakers trailed 42-16.

Methodist used a methodical drive that covered 72 yards over 3:32 to extend its lead to 33 (49-16). Guilford took over and began to drive but stalled at the Methodist 48. After a punt, the Monarchs took over and ran out the final 5:40 for the win.

Baker finished the day going 29-49 for 345 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Alexander caught four passes for 112 yards and a score.

Guilford returns to Appenzeller Field on Saturday, September 17 as Huntingdon College comes to town. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.