The Guilford College football team took on Greensboro College in the annual Gate City Soup Bowl. After trailing for a majority of the first half, the Quakers outscored the Pride 20-7 in the second half to win 48-37. It is the highest scoring Soup Bowl since 2015 (90) and the sixth-straight win in the series for the Quakers.

Coming out of the halftime break, Guilford (1-0) received the kick trailing 30-28. The Quakers began to piece together a drive that placed them on the Greensboro nine. However, a sack dropped Guilford back to the 18-yard line. On fourth and goal, Bailey Baker completed a pass to AJ Merriamn but he was stopped just short of the goal line as they turned over the ball on downs.

Greensboro went three-and-out as the Quakers took over on their own 41 with 9:58 left in the third. Facing an early third and 10, Baker rolled out of the pocket and only gained three yards but a Pride personal foul gave Guilford a first down to the Greensboro 41.

Baker then found JuJu Rice for a 24-yard gain followed by a 10-yard rush from Jordan Payne. After a loss of one yard, Baker connected with Matthew Kidd for the eight-yard score for its first lead since the 12:15 mark of the first quarter (35-30).

After another quick three-and-out by Greensboro, the Quakers were set up on the Guilford 40. Baker completed a pass to Brodey King for a first down and just one play later, Baker scampered for 38 yards to set up a first and goal. On the very next play, Baker found Thomas Laws in the endzone for the score. After the Cameron Haiduven PAT, Guilford led 42-30 with 4:31 remaining in the third quarter.

The Pride wasted no time on their next drive and used two plays to cover 72 yards in 1:07 to pull within one possession (42-37). The Quakers took over with 3:11 remaining in the quarter and began to rush their way into Greensboro territory. Rushes from Paulie Menegay, Caleb Gibson and Baker moved the ball to the Pride 32. Unfortunately, the drive stalled as Guilford turned over the ball on downs.

After the first play of the new drive for Greensboro, the game was headed to the final quarter of regulation. On the second play of the fourth, the Pride's quarterback dropped back and was intercepted by Blayne Stewart as he raced 35 yards down field for the pick-six. After a blocked PAT, Guilford found itself ahead by a two-score margin once again (48-37).

Both squads exchanged punts with Greensboro taking over at its own 40 with 10:23 left in regulation. The Pride put together nine plays to cover 42 yards but faced with a fourth and goal from the 18, Greensboro trotted out the kicking unit. Marano Collins attempted a 34-yard field goal but missed wide left.

On the Quakers next drive, Demark Howell rushed for 20 yards on the first play. However, the drive lost momentum and with the punt team on the field, a bad snap forced Guilford to turn over the ball on downs.

With a short field, the Pride moved the ball to the five-yard line after three plays. A sack by Joey Strong Jr., moved the ball to the 17. Two plays later, Greensboro thought they found the endzone but a holding call brought the play back to the 29. The Pride connected on a pass but the combination of Montrel Cooper and Strong stopped the wide receiver at the one.

Greensboro took a timeout with 2:07 left in regulation to talk things over. The hosts tried to punch it in on fourth-and-goal but the Quaker defense stood tall and prevented the score.

Guilford took over with 2:00 left on the clock and used four plays to run the clock down with two seconds left. The Pride took over on downs at the one and went for the score but were unsuccessful as Guilford won by the 11-point margin.

Baker led the offense, going 15-25 for 316 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. The senior quarterback also ran for 76 yards and an additional two scores. Tre Alexander finished the day with three receptions for 141 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Strong led the way with 10 total tackles with a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss. The Quakers also forced three turnovers including the Stewart 35-yard interception returned for a touchdown.

Guilford hosts Methodist University on Saturday, September 10 for the home opener. Start time is slated for 7:00 p.m.