Presbyterian Fends Off Football, 28-13

Highlights (YouTube)
Buy photos at DavidsonPhotos.com

DAVIDSON, N.C. – A balanced offensive attack and key interceptions by Presbyterian College overcame a strong defensive effort and late offensive rally by Davidson, as the Blue Hose defeated the Wildcats, 28-13 in non-conference football action Saturday night at Richardson Stadium.

A 29-yard run from Davidson's own one-yard line by Spencer Perry and a 47-yard completion to Tim Hines gave Davidson a chance to tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but on 4th-and-9 from PC's 22-yard line, Carkhuff was intercepted by Mark Williams and he returned it 76 yards into Davidson territory. Demarcus Rouse then rushed into the end zone from six yards out for the final margin.

“Our plan fell into place, as we were able to shorten the first half and we were able to be within striking distance in the fourth quarter, but it just didn't work out for us,” said Davidson head coach Tripp Merritt.

Spencer Perry led Davidson (0-4) on the ground with a career-high 123 yards on 20 carries. As a team, Davidson rushed for a season-high 138 yards to total a season-best 360 yards of total offense.

“Spencer is getting better every week, and I think he showed us what he can do tonight,” said Merritt.

Quarterback Jonathan Carkhuff went 21-for-34 for a season-high 280 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, moving up to second on Davidson's career passing list with 6,099 yards. His top target was Reese Williams, who hauled in five passes for 46 yards, while Hines had 69 yards on three catches. Chris Trinetti and Lanny Funsten each had touchdown receptions.

PC (2-3) quarterback Tamyn Garrick went 11-for-32 for 164 yards with two interceptions. Jeremiah McKie was his top target with three receptions for 51 yards. Lance Byrd led a ground attack that totaled 194 yards with 75 yards on 16 carries. Rouse had two touchdowns and 50 yards on 12 carries.

Jelani Doeman led Davidson in tackles, matching his career high of 10 tackles and intercepting a pass. Zach Clark posted a career-high eight tackles, and Patrick Moynahan also made eight stops. Toms Bernhards-Callahan broke up three passes and Pete Anderson had an interception. Donelle Williams led Presbyterian's defense with eight tackles while Bryson Brindle sacked Carkhuff three times. L.J. Perry returned an interception for a touchdown.

Davidson took a 13-7 lead early in the second half when Carkhuff found Funsten deep for a 32-yard touchdown strike with 8:35 remaining in the third quarter. The extra point attempt was blocked after a substitution penalty moved the 'Cats back five yards, and Presbyterian scored 21 unanswered points to seal the win.

The Blue Hose answered Davidson with a 10-play, 85-yard touchdown drive capped by three consecutive runs by Rouse, who scored from three-yards out. PC went from their own 36 into the red zone on a 45-yard completion to Michael Ruff to setup the score.

After forcing Davidson to punt, Presbyterian drove 88 yards to Davidson's five early in the fourth quarter but missed a field goal. The 'Cats held Presbyterian to fourth down at the Davidson-10 on PC's next possession, but the Blue Hose faked the field goal as holder Kaleb Griffin threw to Joel Ruiz for a touchdown and a 21-13 advantage with 10:32 remaining in the game.

Both teams punted on their next possessions, giving Davidson the ball with 5:58 to go. Big plays by Spencer Perry and Hines put Davidson in scoring position, but Williams' pick and Rouse's touchdown sealed the 28-13 victory for Presbyterian.

Presbyterian earned the game's first score when L.J. Perry intercepted a Carkhuff pass and returned it 66 yards for a touchdown with 53 seconds remaining in the first quarter, but Davidson tied the game with 46 seconds remaining in the first half when Carkhuff found Trinetti open over the middle of the field for a 36-yard touchdown strike on 3^rd-and-4.

The Wildcats' defense excelled in the first half, holding Presbyterian to 121 total yards and without an offensive score. The Blue Hose missed a 38-yard field goal on their first drive and went three-and-out on their next three possessions. PC then drove 70 yards in 11 plays to the Davidson 10-yard line, but Doeman hauled in a ball deflected at the line of scrimmage for his first career interception to end the drive.

The 'Cats were unable to turn the turnover into points, but the defense rose to the occasion again and forced another three-and-out, setting up Davidson's first touchdown drive. The ensuing Wildcats kickoff went out-of-bounds to give Presbyterian good field position, but Pete Anderson came up with an interception on a deep pass to end the half after the Blue Hose crossed midfield.

Davidson will return to Pioneer League action for the remainder of the season and will host Dayton for homecoming Saturday at 1 p.m.

“I told the team, 'A' – I was proud of their effort tonight, and 'B' – if we can build on what we did tonight, and we can play the next seven games with as much intensity, emotion and execution as we did tonight, we've got a chance to win our last seven games,” said Merritt.

Notes: Jonathan Carkhuff became the second quarterback in Davidson history to attempt more than 1000 career passes (1026) … Carkhuff took sole possession of fourth on Davidson's career passing touchdowns list and now has 34 … Chris Trinetti's touchdown was both his first career touchdown and the longest reception of his career … Lanny Funsten is now tied with George Hannen (1967-69) for sixth at Davidson with 16 career touchdown receptions … both teams' coaching staffs wore Coach To Cure MD logo patches on the sidelines to raise awareness for Duchenne muscular dystrophy … fans can donate to Duchenne muscular dystrophy research by either going online to www.CoachtoCureMD.org or by texting the word CURE to 90999 (a $5 donation will automatically be added to your next phone bill).

Calendar

Upcoming Events

Recent Results

Next Event

Team Stats

Jonathan Carkhuff

Upcoming Events

Recent Results