HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA-The Hampden-Sydney football team started ODAC play on the right note with a 39-27 win over Catholic to improve to 3-1 overall and 1-0 in conference play. The Cardinals take their first loss of the season, dropping to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Junior running back Brady Macko (Kill Devil Hills, NC/First Flight) had his second consecutive strong day, rushing for 175 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries. Junior quarterback Nash Nance (Calhoun, GA/Tennessee) continued to find the end zone, throwing two touchdown passes with 294 yards on 24-of-43 accuracy while also rushing for three more scores with 63 yards on 18 carries.
On the day, Hampden-Sydney tallied 530 yards of total offense with 294 through the air and 236 on the ground – the third time in four games in which the Tigers have rushed for over 200 yards.
Hampden-Sydney started the game with a surge of momentum after opening with, and recovering, an onsides kick. Nance and the Tigers drove to the Catholic nine-yard line but after a rush for no gain and two incomplete passes, the Tigers failed to connect on the 25-yard field goal.
The Tigers' defense held the Cardinals to a three-and-out and got the ball back at the 50-yard line. The potent Tiger offense then kicked into gear, putting together a six-play 50-yard drive that ended with Nance hitting Holton Walker (Lynchburg, VA/Brookville) for a 21-yard score.
Hampden-Sydney's defense forced another three-and-out, but the Tigers could not capitalize, giving the ball back after a turnover on downs. The defense, however, took it away three plays later as Shreve Rohle (Mechanicsville, VA/Hanover) picked off E.J. Montgomery at the Hampden-Sydney 37-yard line.
The momentum led to a Nance three-yard touchdown run to cap off a ten-play, 63 yard scoring drive.
The defense forced another Cardinal three-and-out, and Hampden-Sydney took advantage, going 27-yards as Nance scored his second touchdown on the day on a six-yard scamper.
Two drives later, Richard Roach picked off Nance, and the Cardinals used that takeaway to find the end zone on a T.J. Tutone 40-yard pass to Tanner Keefe.
Catholic forced another turnover on the Tigers' ensuing drive, picking up a fumble and scoring 11 plays later on a three-yard Montgomery pass to Keefe.
The Tigers added to their lead, scoring the twice in the third quarter, first on a Nance two-yard run and then on an impressive Macko 78-yard dash to put the Tigers up 32-13.
Walker later caught his second touchdown pass of the day on the opening drive of the fourth quarter, giving the Tigers a 39-13 lead.
Catholic went on to score the final two touchdowns of the game, but it was too little too late, as the Tigers came away with the 39-27 victory.
Walker had his fifth straight 100-yard day dating back to last season with 108 yards and two scores on six catches. Joey Kernan (Derwood, MD/Gonzaga) caught five passes for 35 yards, and Joey Druhan (Purcellville, VA/Loudoun Valley) had 57 yards on four catches. Fuller Clark (Roanoke, VA/North Cross) was also solid with three catches for 35 yards.
Defensively, the Tigers allowed 304 yards of total offense on 201 passing and 103 rushing. Tyler Ikwild (Philomont, VA/Loudoun Valley) and John Moore (Powhatan, VA/Blessed Sacrament-Huguenot) led the way with seven tackles each. Josh Doggett (Mechanicsville, VA/Atlee) notched six tackles, including 3.0 for-loss. Rohle also had six tackles with an interception and a half-sack. Michael Marquez (South Boston, VA/Greensboro) and Zach Morgan (Virginia Beach, VA/Ocean Lakes) also had interceptions. Morgan also broke up four additional passes.
Hampden-Sydney remains at home and returns to action Saturday, October 12, as the Tigers host the Eagles of Bridgewater College. Kickoff is set for 1:00 pm.
