HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA - In a game featuring two NCAA Tournament teams from a season ago, it was Hampden-Sydney which prevailed 21-19 over USA South foe North Carolina Wesleyan. Though the Tigers took an early 21-6 lead, North Carolina Wesleyan hung in the game, and made it 21-19 with 45 seconds to go on a Jordan Van six yard scamper. Hampden-Sydney, however, came up with the big stop on the two point conversion attempt, improving to 2-0 on the young season.
After Hampden-Sydney's defense forced two three-and-outs, the Tigers were the first to strike when junior Travis Lane (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) hit Sean Cavanagh (Midlothian, VA/Clover Hill) for a six yard touchdown pass to go up 7-0.
North Carolina Wesleyan stepped up on the ensuing drive, putting together a 17 play, 63 yard drive that ended with a one yard touchdown run from Teron Bush. Kevin Quicker, though, failed to connect on the extra point attempt to preserve the Tiger lead at 7-6.
Once Hampden-Sydney got the ball back, the offense continued to roll, marching 76 yards down the field. The drive included three catches by junior Kyle Vance (Onley, VA/Broadwater Academy) for a combined 56 yards with the final 20 yard reception for the score.
Down 14-6, the Bishops were close to scoring with a 33-yard field goal attempt, but they were thwarted by Shane Clarke (Midlothian, VA/Manchester) who soared in to block the field goal.
Neither team could find the endzone for the next 13 minutes, but it was the Tiger defense, which had held North Carolina Wesleyan to just two first downs in that stretch, that scored next when Trevor Ikwild (Philomont, VA/Loudon Valley)batted a Jordan Vann goal line pass attempt into the hands of Will Riggenbach (Midlothian, VA/Clover Hill) for the Tigers' third touchdown of the day to go up 21-6.
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with only six first downs in 15 minutes - five of them belonging to the Tigers. Kirk Rohle (Mechanicsville, VA/Hanover) accounted for three of the first downs while rushing for 51 yards in the stanza.
North Carolina Wesleyan got back on the board early in the fourth with a 21 yard return on a Desmond Joyner interception for a touchdown. Down just 21-13, the Bishops compiled another drive that lead to the Hampden-Sydney eight yard line. It looked like they'd stike when Jordan Vann threw to the endzone, but senior Bill Doody (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Cardinal Gibbons) saved the day with an interception to stop the drive.
Hampden-Sydney managed to start a drive that made it into Bishops territory, but were forced to punt downing the Bishops at their own three yard line. Jordan Vann had a big drive with just 2:21 left on the clock, leading his team 97 yards down field while completing 5-of-6 passes for 89 yards. He then ran the final six yards to bring the Bishops within two at 21-19.
On the two-point conversion attempt, Teron Bush failed to hit Taylor Revelle allowing the Tigers to hold on to their lead and run the clock out.
On the day, Rohle had a game-high 144 all purpose yards with 118 rushing and 26 receiving. Lane was 20-for-37 with 192 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions. Vance led the Tiger receiving core with six receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown while Cavangh also had six grabs and 74 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Ikwild led all tacklers with 15 while August Berling (Richmond, VA/Benedictine) added 12. Doody had two interceptions to go with seven tackles and four pass break ups. Senior Ty Condrey (Chesterfield, VA/Manchester) had a solid day with six tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and one sack.
The Tigers return to action next Saturday, September 18 as they host the Tigers of Sewanee for Family Weekend. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.
