WINCHESTER, Va. – Junior quarterback Tanner Bernard/Lynchburg and senior captain/wide receiver Dillon Costello/South Riding connected on two touchdown pass plays to lead Hampden-Sydney College to 26-0 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) football road win at Shenandoah University Friday night in Winchester. Junior tight end Ed Newman/Farmville added a 65-yard scoring reception from Bernard and freshman running back Melik Frost/Bluffton, SC added a touchdown on the ground, along with a two-point conversion, as well, while senior captain/defensive lineman Phil Pullen/Manassas led an impressive defensive effort for the second-straight week toward the shutout. H-SC (2-0, 2-0 ODAC) led 6-0 at halftime against the Hornets (0-2, 0-1 ODAC), adding two quick scores in the third quarter, before a final touchdown early in the fourth.

Following a scoreless first quarter, and most of the second quarter, as well, H-SC finally got on the scoreboard in the final minute of the half when Bernard found Costello for the first of their two touchdowns—a 13-yard pass play with just 35-seconds remaining. The PAT kick was no good, however, and the advantage was 6-0 following the impressive 98-yard, 17-play drive just before halftime. Senior running back Cole Becker/Spring Lake, NC had a 17-yard run during the drive, while junior running back Kaleb Smith/Rocky Mount added a 13-yard run.

The Tigers took the first possession of the second half and promptly went 67 yards on three plays with Bernard and Newman connecting for a 65-yard touchdown pass play at 13:41 of the third quarter. A two-point conversion attempt failed and the lead was 12-0. On the ensuing kickoff, SU failed to cover the football and the visitors recovered at the 18 yard line. H-SC took full advantage and Bernard found Costello for their second touchdown connection—this time on a 16-yard scoring play with 12:19 left in the third quarter. Frost added the two-point conversion attempt on the ground and the Tigers led 20-0, scoring their first three touchdowns during a 3:16 span over the second and third quarters.

H-SC added its final touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Frost found the end zone on a two-yard scoring run with 14:56 remaining. It was a nine-play, 72-yard possession that included Becker runs of 11 and eight yards, and a 16-yard run by Frost. Another two-point conversion attempt failed, but the advantage was 26-0 for the Tigers—the stout defense taking care of the rest as it did all night.

Bernard, a transfer from NCAA Division II UVA Wise, passed for a game-high 166 yards (12-20) and three touchdowns with no interceptions. Frost and Becker each had a game-high 74 yards rushing on 20 and 13 carries, respectively, with Frost adding one touchdown, while Smith added 56 yards rushing on 11 attempts with 16 yards receiving on two catches. Freshman Josh Jones/South Hill contributed 39 yards rushing on five attempts. Newman had a game-high five receptions for a game-high 98 yards receiving and one touchdown, and Costello finished with three catches for 39 yards and two touchdowns, while freshman wide receiver Braeden Bowling/Cary, NC had two catches for 13 yards. H-SC totaled 388 yards of total offense, including 222 yards rushing and 166 yards passing.

H-SC's defense was strong once-again while posting its second consecutive shutout, limiting SU to just 130 yards of total offense, including only 16 yards rushing and 114 yards through the air. Pullen led the Tigers with five tackles, including one for loss, along with a quarterback hurry. Senior captain/defensive back Riggs Jordan/Spencer, junior defensive lineman Peyton Carneal/Hayes and freshman defensive back Will Pickren/Mt Pleasant, SC each added four tackles, with Carneal adding his second interception in as many games (returned 12 yards) and Jordan registering a half-sack. Senior defensive ends Tyler Lohman/Centreville and Bryce St. Clair/Lanexa, junior linebacker Stephen Cash/Kill Devil Hills, NC and freshman defensive lineman Kevin Gholson/Montpelier each contributed three tackles—Lohman with 1.5 tackles for loss and St. Clair with a QB hurry as H-SC avenged a 21-17 home setback to SU in 2019.

Zackary Mathis passed for 114 yards (15-27) with one interception for SU. Rashadeen Byrd had 14 yards rushing on eight carries, while Jake Wallace had three receptions for 44 yards receiving for the Hornets. Ben Burgan had a game-high 12 tackles, while Mason Caldwell added 10 tackles for the hosts.

Following an upcoming bye week, H-SC will play on the road for the second time this spring—traveling to ODAC member Guilford (NC) College on Friday evening, March 19, at 5 p.m. in Greensboro, North Carolina.