Davidson College
2-1
Livingstone
1-2
Defense Leads Davidson Past Livingstone in Home Opener, 38-12
9/17/2016 11:03:00 PM | Football
DavidsonPhotos.com
DAVIDSON, N.C. – In addition to forcing four first-half turnovers, Davidson jumped out to a 38-0 lead en route to a 38-12 victory over Livingstone in non-conference football action Saturday night at Richardson Stadium.
With the win, the Wildcats open the season 2-1 for the first time since the 2011 campaign, while the Blue Bears fall to 1-2.
Davidson, which led 21-0 late in the first quarter, took advantage of two Livingstone special team miscues. Following a failed fake punt, quarterback Stockton McGuire put the 'Cats up 6-0 with a six-yard run.
Midway through the first, Livingstone punter Tyler Keene mishandled a snap that Thomas Sykes scooped up and took to the end zone for Davidson, the first of two defensive scores.
Along with forcing a combined nine turnovers in their last two contests, the Wildcats' defense held Livingstone to just 68 yards on the ground, while finishing with six sacks.
McGuire connected with Derek Jones on a 12-yard pass with 3:29 left in the quarter to cap off a seven-play 58-yard drive.
Freshman Preston Grase extended the margin to 30-0 when his picked off Bryan Digsby and returned his first career interception 43-yards for a touchdown.
Keylan Brown, who rushed for 95 yards and a score in Davidson's win over Kentucky Wesleyan last weekend, led both teams with 87 yards on 19 carries, including an eight-yard touchdown scamper just prior to the half.
Digsby paced the Blue Bears with 201 yards in the air, including 102 on eight catches to wide receiver Everett Ransom.
The Wildcats open Pioneer Football League play next Saturday, Sept. 24 when they visit Valparaiso. Kickoff from Brown Field is slated for 1 p.m.
Team Stats
LC 0, DAV 7
DAV - MCGUIRE, S. 6 yd run (SMITH, Trevor kick), 2 plays, 24 yards, TOP 0:35
LC 0, DAV 14
DAV - SYKES, Thomas 20 yd fumble recovery (SMITH, Trevor kick)
LC 0, DAV 21
DAV - JONES, Derek 12 yd pass from MCGUIRE, S. (SMITH, Trevor kick) 7 plays, 58 yards, TOP 2:37
LC 0, DAV 24
DAV - SMITH, Trevor 44 yd field goal 7 plays, 58 yards, TOP 2:27
LC 0, DAV 31
DAV - GRASE, Preston 43 yd interception (SMITH, Trevor kick)
LC 0, DAV 38
DAV - BROWN, Keylan 8 yd run (SMITH, Trevor kick), 8 plays, 87 yards, TOP 2:39
LC 6, DAV 38
LC - RUFFIN, Justin 3 yd run (RUFFIN, Justin rushfailed), 5 plays, 46 yards, TOP 0:47
LC 12, DAV 38
LC - GAMBLE, Andrew 8 yd pass from DIGSBY, Bryan (DIGSBY, Bryan passfailed) 17 plays, 86 yards, TOP 6:55
