Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
Berry got on the scoreboard in the first quarter after a 10-play, 96-yard drive that featured a 38-yard run from running back Brandon Cade, who capped off the drive with an 11-yard touchdown rush. Cade, who would go on to have a stellar day, was the focal point of Berry's offense. Despite failing the two-point conversion attempt, Berry took a 6-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Cade struck again, this time with a 3-yard rushing touchdown following another lengthy drive—this one a 7-play, 91-yard effort. Cade's ability to break through Southwestern's defensive line, combined with a solid passing game led by quarterback Christian Lewis, gave Berry control.
Meanwhile, Berry's defense held Southwestern in check. The Pirates struggled to sustain drives and found themselves intercepted twice during key moments in the first half, one of which occurred after Berry's Nick Palmer picked off a pass in the second quarter.
In the third, Berry effectively put the game out of reach, scoring 22 points in a span of just over two minutes. Cade completed his hat trick of touchdowns with a 4-yard rush at the 6:46 mark. This was followed by a successful two-point conversion, extending Berry's lead to 20-0.
Just over two minutes later, Jamichael Baxter broke through for a 19-yard touchdown run, and Ram Madayag added the extra point, further stretching Berry's lead to 27-0.
Moments later, Berry's defense added to the scoring when Gian Traverzo intercepted a pass from Southwestern quarterback Jaylen Spriggs and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown. With the extra point, the Vikings had built an insurmountable 34-0 lead.
In the final quarter, Berry continued to dominate. Madayag connected on a 34-yard field goal early in the quarter, and with 6:19 left, Brayden Hardy broke free for a 48-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 44-0. Berry's rushing attack was relentless, with the team finishing with 183 rushing yards, averaging an impressive 7.3 yards per carry.
Southwestern managed to avoid a shutout by scoring a late touchdown on a 5-yard run by Devan Phillips in the game's final seconds, but it was too little, too late.
Berry's defense was stellar throughout the game, forcing two interceptions and holding Southwestern to just 230 total yards. Berry's defense also added 7 points off turnovers, thanks to Traverzo's interception return for a touchdown.
The Vikings will return to action next weekend at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas for a kick-off time of 1:00 PM ET.