GREENWOOD, SC – The Wingate University Bulldogs bounced back from its loss last week, rolling to a 31-7 Saturday afternoon victory at Erskine College in South Atlantic Conference football action at J.W. Babb Stadium. The Bulldogs improve to 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the SAC, while the Flying Fleet drop to 2-3 overall and 0-3 in league play.
The 'Dogs marched down the field in their opening drive, but stalled in Erskine territory, settling for Evans' 38-yard field goal to take an early 3-0 lead. Erskine converted one first down on their opening drive, but punted to the Bulldogs, who started their next drive at their own 30-yard line. Wingate went 70 yards in 11 plays to take a 10-0 lead. Wilson's nine-yard run got the ball to midfield. Crocker hit Desor on third and 18 for 28 yards to the Erskine 11. Wilson scored from 11 yards out. A Bulldog interception was negated by an offside penalty on the ensuing possession. The Flying Fleet ultimately punted, with a solid return from Simmons setting Wingate up at its own 45. The 'Dogs worked the ball into Erskine territory as the first quarter winded down. A nine-yard Barnett run got it to the Erskine 40 on the final play of the frame.
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| Wingate RB Alex Wilson finds the end zone. Photo Credit: Hugh Patton |
In the second quarter, Crocker connected with Damian Sutton for an 18-yard completion on third and 11. Barnett added an eight-yard run to get it to the EC 11. Crocker hit Polight from 11 yards out to make it 17-0. The Bulldogs forced another Erskine three-and-out, taking over at their own 43-yard line. The WU defense forced two more three and outs and looked to add to the lead late in the half. A 19-yard punt set the 'Dogs up in Erskine territory with 1:38 left. Crocker hooked up with Simmons for 33 yards to get it to the Flying Fleet three yard line. Wilson punched it in from there for his second TD of the day put the 'Dogs up 24-0.
The 'Dogs stuffed Erskine on the first drive of the second half, then took over
at their own 20. Wingate got into Erskine territory, with three Wilson runs
getting it to the EC 22. Crocker hit Dillon for a 23-yard touchdown to make it
31-0. Erskine's Austin Parker scored on a 76-yard run on third and 11 to put
the Flying Fleet on the board. The teams traded punts throughout the rest of
the quarter.
Wingate punted on its opening possession of the final quarter but got it right
back, as Thomas recorded his first interception of the year. Witherspoon
followed with a pick on the next Erskine drive. The Bulldogs forced one more
Flying Fleet punt, then got the ball back with 2:56 to go. Wingate was able to
run out the remaining clock to earn its fourth win of the season.
Up Next
Wingate returns to Irwin Belk Stadium next Saturday, hosting Catawba for a 6 p.m. kick
KEY STATS
- Wingate out-gained Erskine 435-146
- The Bulldogs racked up season-highs with 206 rushing yards and 227 passing yards
- The Flying Fleet rushed for 109 yards, while being limited to 37 passing yards
- WU piled up 26 first downs to just seven for Erskine
- Wingate was eight-for-15 on third downs, while limiting the Flying Fleet to just two-for-10
- The 'Dogs were unsuccessful in the lone fourth down attempt of the contest
- Wingate was a perfect three-for-three on red zone chances; the Bulldogs kept Erskine out of the red zone
- Erskine threw two interceptions, while the Bulldogs were turnover-free
- The Bulldogs were dominant in time of possession, keeping the ball for over 41 minutes
KEY BULLDOGS
- Shaw Crocker completed 21-of-27 passes for 225 yards and two touchdowns
- Alexander Wilson ran for 82 yards and two first-half scores
- Myles Dillon caught six passes for 63 yards and a touchdown
- Jacob Polight made an 11-yard touchdown catch in the second quarter
- Jordon Thomas recorded two tackles and an interception
- Derrick Witherspoon also had a pick for the Bulldog defense
- Kalen Clark rushed for 58 yards on 12 carries
- O'Brien Barnett was the third Bulldog with at least 50 yards on the ground with 55
- Kamal Desor caught three passes for 42 yards
- Ra'Quan Simmons hauled in two passes for 41 yards
- Jaquan Edwards led the 'Dogs defensively with seven tackles
- Marquise Fleming added five tackles, including 1.5 for a loss
- Dontarian Best and Daniel Morrison teamed up for Wingate's only sack of the afternoon
- Ethan Evans hit a 38-yard field goal, while averaging 45 yards per punt on four tries
Story courtesy of Wingate Athletics
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