HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-For the fourth time in program history and second in two years, the Hampden-Sydney Tigers have won the first eight games of the season. With the current 8-0 mark, and 3-0 record in the ODAC after a 49-20 win over Guilford, this year's senior class has become the winningest class in school history with an overall record of 35-5 and two ODAC Championships. The 1973 football seniors previously had the most wins with 34.

Hampden-Sydney's defense started the game forcing Guilford to punt, and the Tigers took under four minutes to find the end zone. In the drive, junior Travis Lane (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) went five-for-six for 59 yards, while sophomore Evan King (Lewisburg, WV/Episcopal) capped off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

On the ensuing kick off, Guilford's Lawrence Blake returned the kick-off 54 yards to the Hampden-Sydney 41. His return set up a scoring drive that took nine plays and 2:43 off the clock. Quarterback Billy Watkins found Jordan Parker for the 12 yard score.

The Tigers responded quickly, and four plays after Kyle Vance (Onley, VA/Broadwater Academy) caught a 54 yard pass, King ran in for his second consecutive score.

After a Guilford three-and-out, the Tigers drove 72 yards in just six plays to make it a 21-7 game. Senior Andrew Bruckner (Chesterfield, VA/L.C. Bird) found pay dirt with a 23 yard touchdown reception.

The Tiger defense again held strong, while the offense continued to roll. King scored his third touchdown on a 74 yard reception give the Tigers a commanding 28-7 lead.

King was not finished for the half, however, scoring one more time on a seven yard scamper to go up 35-7 heading into intermission.

Neither team could find much offense in the third quarter, but it was Guilford who broke the ten minute scoring drought with a another Watkins to Parker touchdown to cut the lead to 35-14 with 4:33 remaining in the quarter.

Though the Tigers failed to convert a fourth down conversion, Shane Clarke (Midlothian, VA/Manchester) picked off Watkins on Guilford's first play to continue the Tiger drive. Lane then found Sean Cavanagh (Midlothian, VA/Clover Hill) 16 yards in the endzone four plays later to go up 42-14.

Hampden-Sydney built on its lead in the fourth quarter, with senior Chapin George (Richmond, VA/Douglas Freeman) making a highlight-worthy 12-yard touchdown catch falling out of bounds while just getting one foot in the endzone.

Guilford was not finished though, scoring on the final play of the game on a nine-yard reception by Parker to cut the deficit to 49-20.

On the day, Hampden-Sydney amassed 535 yards of total offense on 397 yards passing and 138 yards rushing. Lane was 22-of-32 for 397 yards, four touchdown and one interception. King accounted for four touchdowns with 59 yards rushing and 72 yards receiving. Vance tallied a game-high 118 yards on five receptions.

Defensively, Trevor Ikwild (Philomont, VA/Loudoun Valley) tallied a team-high nine tackles while the Tigers amassed five sacks. Steven Fogleman (Mechanicsville, VA/Hanover) had six tackles, and Clarke and Thomas McDonald (Chesterfield, VA/L.C. Bird) each had interceptions.

Guilford was led by Justin Parker, who had nine receptions for 109 yards and three touchdowns. On the day, they tallied 270 yards of offense on 232 passing and 38 rushing.

Hampden-Sydney returns to action Saturday, November 6 as they travel to face Washington & Lee (6-2, 5-0) in a crucial ODAC match up. Kick off is set for 1:00 pm.