Saturday, March 27
Davidson, N.C.
12:00 pm
Davidson College
3-1 , 2-0
24
vs
21
Morehead State
1-2 , 1-1
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Morehead St.
7
7
7
0
21
Davidson
0
14
0
10
24
Photo by: Jeff Sochko - DavidsonPhotos.com
A Late Field Goal Lifts the 'Cats over Morehead State, 24-21
3/27/2021 5:22:00 PM | Football
Coach Abell Postgame Radio Interview
Tate Kipperman Halftime Radio Interview (Pre-recorded)
PHOTO GALLERY
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Wildcats orchestrated a game-winning drive in the final two minutes to beat Morehead State in Pioneer Football League action Saturday at Richardson Stadium, 24-21.
With 1:33 on the clock and the ball on their own 26-yard line, senior Tyler Phelps and the offense marched down the field, using eight plays to get deep into Eagles' territory.
After a few icing attempts from the Morehead State sideline, and only seven seconds left on the clock, sophomore kicker Caden Bonoffski lined up and knocked a 32-yard field goal through the uprights to seal the victory.
With the win, Davidson improves to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in PFL-play for the first time ever. With the loss, Morehead State falls to 1-3 and 1-2 in league tilts.
"What I told our guys after the game, 'it is a turn the corner moment for our program.' This is a game that has gotten away from us in the past," said head coach Scott Abell. "We've had a chance to win every game since we've been here, but we've lost some close ones. And so, to drive the field. To finish the game on a field goal. Something we hadn't been able to do … to do it today, it was a huge step for us."
The two sides traded a pair of first half touchdowns, as both sides felt each other out. Trailing 7-0, Davidson scored on back-to-back possessions. McCurdy and Bradyn Oakley each scored their first of the year to put Davidson on top 14-7 in the second quarter.
After a 30-minute weather delay, Morehead State had the first crack of the ball and put together a 5-play, 74-yard scoring drive to tie the game up at the break. The Eagles would score the third quarter's lone TD before the fourth quarter dramatics.
The 'Cats trailed much of the second half before a game-tying drive late in the fourth. Freshman Mark McCurdy broke free for a 61-yard scamper, setting up three straight runs for sophomore Dylan Sparks to find the end zone and knot the score at 21-apiece.
The FCS' top-ranked rushing offense, Davidson, gained 334 yards on the ground. McCurdy led the way with 127 yards, his first 100-yard game as a Wildcat.
The Davidson defense made some timely plays including back-to-back sacks from senior James Boyle and freshman Tyreece White to force a Morehead State punt. Senior cornerback Jaylon Bolden and junior linebacker Jalen Jefferson tallied eight tackles apiece to lead the defensive effort. Freshman Jonathan Hammond made five tackles, all them disruptive, as he tallied four tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
The Wildcats hit the road for a pair, beginning with a trip west to take on San Diego. Kickoff from California is slated for 3 p.m.
Tate Kipperman Halftime Radio Interview (Pre-recorded)
PHOTO GALLERY
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Wildcats orchestrated a game-winning drive in the final two minutes to beat Morehead State in Pioneer Football League action Saturday at Richardson Stadium, 24-21.
With 1:33 on the clock and the ball on their own 26-yard line, senior Tyler Phelps and the offense marched down the field, using eight plays to get deep into Eagles' territory.
After a few icing attempts from the Morehead State sideline, and only seven seconds left on the clock, sophomore kicker Caden Bonoffski lined up and knocked a 32-yard field goal through the uprights to seal the victory.
With the win, Davidson improves to 3-1 overall and 3-0 in PFL-play for the first time ever. With the loss, Morehead State falls to 1-3 and 1-2 in league tilts.
"What I told our guys after the game, 'it is a turn the corner moment for our program.' This is a game that has gotten away from us in the past," said head coach Scott Abell. "We've had a chance to win every game since we've been here, but we've lost some close ones. And so, to drive the field. To finish the game on a field goal. Something we hadn't been able to do … to do it today, it was a huge step for us."
The two sides traded a pair of first half touchdowns, as both sides felt each other out. Trailing 7-0, Davidson scored on back-to-back possessions. McCurdy and Bradyn Oakley each scored their first of the year to put Davidson on top 14-7 in the second quarter.
After a 30-minute weather delay, Morehead State had the first crack of the ball and put together a 5-play, 74-yard scoring drive to tie the game up at the break. The Eagles would score the third quarter's lone TD before the fourth quarter dramatics.
The 'Cats trailed much of the second half before a game-tying drive late in the fourth. Freshman Mark McCurdy broke free for a 61-yard scamper, setting up three straight runs for sophomore Dylan Sparks to find the end zone and knot the score at 21-apiece.
The FCS' top-ranked rushing offense, Davidson, gained 334 yards on the ground. McCurdy led the way with 127 yards, his first 100-yard game as a Wildcat.
The Davidson defense made some timely plays including back-to-back sacks from senior James Boyle and freshman Tyreece White to force a Morehead State punt. Senior cornerback Jaylon Bolden and junior linebacker Jalen Jefferson tallied eight tackles apiece to lead the defensive effort. Freshman Jonathan Hammond made five tackles, all them disruptive, as he tallied four tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
The Wildcats hit the road for a pair, beginning with a trip west to take on San Diego. Kickoff from California is slated for 3 p.m.
Team Stats
MSU
DAV
Total Yards
373
430
Pass Yards
284
94
Rushing Yards
89
336
Penalty Yards
20
47
1st Downs
22
19
3rd Downs
7
5
4th Downs
0
2
TOP
30:12
28:15
1st Quarter
MSU 7, DAV 0
MSU - Campbell-Clay,T 29 yd pass from Pappas,Mark (Foster,Andrew kick) 8 plays, 83 yards, TOP 3:07
2nd Quarter
MSU 7, DAV 7
DAV - MCCURDY, Mark 30 yd run (BONOFFSKI, C. kick), 8 plays, 55 yards, TOP 3:45
MSU 7, DAV 14
DAV - OAKLEY, Bradyn 6 yd run (BONOFFSKI, C. kick), 5 plays, 74 yards, TOP 1:59
MSU 14, DAV 14
MSU - Holder,Ian 15 yd pass from Pappas,Mark (Foster,Andrew kick) 7 plays, 64 yards, TOP 2:26
3rd Quarter
MSU 21, DAV 14
MSU - Byrd,BJ 33 yd pass from Pappas,Mark (Foster,Andrew kick) 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 2:50
4th Quarter
MSU 21, DAV 21
DAV - SPARKS, Dylan 9 yd run (BONOFFSKI, C. kick), 4 plays, 90 yards, TOP 1:13
MSU 21, DAV 24
DAV - BONOFFSKI, C. 32 yd field goal 9 plays, 59 yards, TOP 0:00
Game Leaders
Passing Leaders
CMP
5
TD
0
YDS
94
INT
1
Players Mentioned
CB
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K
/ Football
DE
/ Football
DL
/ Football
LB
/ Football
SLOT
/ Football
RB
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RB
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DL
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