Davidson College
Presbyterian
'Cats Return to Richardson Stadium Saturday against Presbyterian
3/16/2021 10:05:00 AM | Football
| WEEK 3 - DAVIDSON vs. PRESBYTERIAN |
| Date | Saturday, Mar. 20, 2021 | |
| Kickoff | 1:00 P.M. | |
| Location | Davidson, N.C. | |
| Game Notes | Davidson | PFL | Presbyterian | |
| Game Program | Game Day Program vs. Presbyterian | |
| #HashTag | #CatsAreWild #WE | |
| Live Stats | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Live Audio | DavidsonWildcats.com (WHIP 99.3 FM/1350 AM, TuneIn App) | |
| Live Video | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| The Coach's Corner | Episode 4 | |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
DAVIDSON, N.C. - Football returns to Richardson Stadium Saturday, Mar. 20 when Davidson hosts Presbyterian in a Pioneer Football League showdown at Stephen B. Smith Field. Kick off is slated for 1 p.m.
THE SERIES
A rivalry renewed! Davidson and Presbyterian go all the way back to 1919 with the Red and Black Machine leading the all-time series, 14-13-2. Presbyterian has won four straight in the series, but the two have only squared off four times since 1987.
LAST TIME OUT
Davidson opened PFL play with a road win at Stetson, 26-20. Tyler Phelps orchestrated three straight scoring drives in the second half, completing TD passes to Eli Turner Jr. and Jalen Staples, and rushing for another. He led the team on the ground with 120 yards. The Davidson defense continued to impose their will, forcing a pair of Stetson turnovers. Freshman Jonathan Hammond was johnny-on-the-spot, intercepting a Hatter pass after the ball caromed off a Stetson wide receiver's helmet. Junior linebackers Jalen Jefferson and Jake Alexander both recorded career-highs in tackles as both made 10 total stops. Alexander also forced a fumble, recovered by Cade Vela, that set up Davidson's first touchdown drive of the game in the early stages of the third quarter.
SCOUTING THE BLUE HOSE
Presbyterian was not slated to join the PFL until the fall of 2021, but due to the pandemic, the Blue Hose were granted league status for the spring 2021 campaign, but are ineligible to be crowned league champs and earn the auto-qualifier for the FCS Championship Playoffs. The Blue Hose enter the game 1-1 overall and 1-0 in league action. They fell in a double overtime battle at Gardner-Webb to open the season, 31-24, and handled Morehead State in their conference opener, 31-16.
Presbyterian featured a pair of PFL Player of the Week Award winners in the first weekly report of the season. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Huff earned offensive accolades, while senior wide receiver Keith Pearson picked up special team laurels for their efforts against Morehead State. Huff has completed 46-of-74 passes for 518 yards with four touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for a pair of scores. Delvecchio Powell leads the ground attack with 130 yards on 38 carries, while Pearson has seen the lions share of Huff passes, hauling in 17 for 93.5 yards and a TD. A local product, Jarrett Nagy leads the defensive effort with 21 total tackles, 3.0 for loss.
LAST TIME THEY MET
The two haven't faced off since 2012 as Presbyterian spoiled it for the home fans of Richardson Stadium, 28-13. The 'Cats took a 13-7 lead midway through the third as John Carkhuff connected with Lanny Funsten on a 32-yard scoring strike. Chris Trinetti caught a 36-yard second quarter TD from Carkhuff, but a first quarter pick-six and three consecutive second half scores from the Blue Hose was too much to overcome.
SETTING A P.A.C.E. FOR CHANGE
In response to the racial tension, social unrest and the prevalence of systematic racism in our country, Davidson football created P.A.C.E. (Progress, Advocate, Cooperate, Educate). The mission of P.A.C.E. is to lead the team, campus, community and country in promoting equality, unity and opportunity. In late August, the team hosted a gathering on the front lawn of Chambers to speak out against racism and actively fight for change.
LEADING THE PACK
Senior quarterback Tyler Phelps returns for his fourth season to lead the offense, while Jalen Jefferson, Chibuike Odo and Cade Vela captain a Davidson defense that soared to the top of the FCS in 2019. Junior Eli Turner Jr. also will don captain duties throughout the season.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can connect directly with the Davidson Football staff on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Davidson-Football), Twitter (@DavidsonFB) and Instagram (@DavidsonFootball). Head coach Scott Abell is on Twitter and can be found at @Scott_AbellFB.
Be sure to check out The Coach's Corner with Scott Abell every Monday powered by Atrium Health. Coach Abell will discuss the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming opponent, giving fans an inside look into the Wildcat football program.
ON DECK
The Wildcats are back at Richardson Stadium Saturday, Mar. 27 for a PFL showdown with the Eagles of Morehead State. Kick off from Stephen B. Smith Field is slated for 1 p.m.
