Release written and posted by Wesley College Sports Information
LYNCHBURG, Va. - Wesley College placekicker Dan Tryon (Wilmington, Del./Salesianum) tied school records with three field goals and 14 total points and the Wolverine defense limited a powerful Virginia University of Lynchburg running game to just 37 yards in a 46-0 victory on the road.
After losing their first four games of the season, the Dragons had won two in a row behind a rush attack that had churned out at least 250 yards in both victories. The Wesley defense, however, put an end to the win streak with by limiting VUL to just 1.2 yards per carry on 32 rushes.
Dragon running back Mac Shinhoster, averaging 140 yards per game on the year was held to minus-14 on eight attempts.
"Our defense did a great job stopping their running game," noted head coach Mike Drass after the game. "Their running back averaged 140 yards and we held him to negative yardage."
Tryon, meanwhile, was 3-of-3 on field goals, connecting on kicks of 17, 25 and a 45-yarder that was just one yard short of his own school record. With 14 points, he tied Chris Carlton's seven year old school mark.
While VUL had little to no success on the ground, Wesley's offense rumbled for over 200 yards for the third straight game. Askia Jahad (Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown) rushed for a team-high 109 yards on just seven carries.
"Their defensive backs did a good job of taking our wide receivers out of the game, but we were able to use the run. Our offensive line did a great job up front opening holes for our running backs."
The game was scoreless until an 81-yard run by Jahad set up a 17-yard field goal by Tryon to give Wesley a 3-0 lead after the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Jahad rushed for a 12-yard score to stretch it to 10-0 with 7:12 to go in the half. On their next possession, the Wolverines put together a nine-play drive capped by a five-yard pass from Shane McSweeny (Bensalem, Pa./Bensalem) to Hassan Alston (Randallstown, Md./New Town) for a touchdown and a 17-0 lead at the half.
Matt Barile's (Fallston, Md./Fallston) 90-yard kick return to open the third quarter set up Tryon's second field goal of the afternoon as the Wolverines took a 20-point lead less than two minutes into the second half.
The Dragons were forced to punt on their next series, but the snap went over Elliot Moore's head. The punter limited the damage by recovering the ball nearly 30 yards behind the line of scrimmage and narrowly getting off a kick that was downed at the VUL 20.
Penalties backed Wesley up, but Tryon split the uprights from 45 yards for a 23-0 lead with 10:32 left in the half.
Just before the end of the period, the Wolverines went 66 yards on just six plays to break the game open. A 34-yard catch and run by Jeremiah Howe (Cambridge, Md./Cambridge South) picked up the bulk of the yardage before Brandon Wright (Clayton, N.J./Clayton) scored on a 13-yard run for a 30-0 lead.
Virginia Lynchburg took over at their own 14 and after a sack by Phil Cooper (New Castle, Del./Delcastle), Wesley scored on a safety for a 32-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
A 34-yard punt return by Sean Hopkins (Georgetown, Del./Sussex Central) set up a nine-yard run by Alston for his second touchdown of the afternoon as Wesley went ahead 39-0 with 10:25 to play.
Hopkins had a 32-yard return later in the quarter to set up the final touchdown a one yard plunge by Devar Robinson (Lindenwold, N.J./Lindenwold) with 5:25 left in the contest.
"This was a good win over a team with some good players," Drass said after the game. "While they're only 2-5, they're much better than their record shows and have some excellent players."
In addition to Jahad's 100-yard day, Wright rushed for 50 yards on 10 carries.
McSweeny threw for 158 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the game. Steven Koudossou (Waldorf, Md./Westlake) led the team with three catches for 56 yards.
John Smicklo (Toms River, N.J./Toms River East) had a strong day punting the ball, averaging 43.2 yards on five kicks and placed three inside opponent's 20-yardline.
Cooper led the defense with nine tackles, including 4.5 for loss and 2.5 sacks. Jeff Morgan (Vineland, N.J./Vineland) had seven stops and sack. Devin Hardy (Baltimore, Md./Eastern Tech) added 1.5 sacks and Aamir Petrose (Woodbury, N.J./Woodbury.) picked up a sack as weBaltimore, Md./Eastern Techll. Mike Asiedu (Yonkers, N.Y./Gorton) broke up three passes.
Quarterback Avery Neloms paced the ground attack for the Dragons with 51 yards on 16 carries. Passing the ball, Neloms was just 7-of-20 for 114 yards.
Marquevious Myers led VUL with nine tackles.
It was the third straight week Wesley was part of someone's Homecoming and has won all three contests. After defeating Division I FCS Charleston Southern 33-20, Wesley downed Frostburg last week at Scott D. Miller Stadium before shutting out the Dragons.
Wesley travels to the Buckeye State next weekend to face Walsh at Fawcett Stadium at the Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.