Hickory, N.C. ? The Brevard College Football Team (5-0, 1-0) remained undefeated on the season and won its first-ever South Atlantic Conference contest with a 14-9 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University (3-2, 1-1) Saturday night at Moretz Stadium.

The Tornados jumped out to an early 14-0 lead.? Thanks to a 74-touchdown pass from Michael Crumbaker (Arlington, Texas) to Lawrence Martin (Charlotte, N.C.) in the first stanza and a 20-yard interception return for a score by Michael Gist (North Augusta, Ga.) midway through second quarter, Brevard enjoyed a two-score advantage with 7:51 remaining before halftime.

The touchdown pass was the lone throw Brevard had on the night.

L-R cut the lead to 14-6 with 5:20 left before intermission when senior quarterback Justin Sanders (Monroe, N.C.) found junior tight end Devan Pointer (Burlington, N.C.) for a 22-yard touchdown pass on the ensuing drive.

The Bears cut the margin to five at 14-9 when sophomore placekicker Colin Corpe (Ocala, Fla.) connected on a 25-yard field goal set up by a Brevard fumble three-and-a-half minutes into the third quarter.

Lenoir-Rhyne, however, was held off the board the rest of the way.

L-R had several more opportunities to score but fumbled twice and lost the ball on downs in the defeat.

The Bears drove to the Tornado 28-yard line on their next-to-last possession but a fourth-down pass fell incomplete.

Lenoir-Rhyne held a 245-186 advantage in total yards and limited Brevard to just 42 yards after halftime despite the setback.

Sanders finished with 77 yards through the air and 42 yards on the ground while sophomore fullback Byron Darby (Gastonia, N.C.) led L-R with 50 yards rushing as the Bears finished 200 yards under their season rushing average (152 yards on 54 carries).

The teams came into the contest ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in NCAA Division II rushing average.? Brevard averaged 374.2 yards per contest while Lenoir-Rhyne averaged 353.0 yards per outing.

Pointer added 49 yards receiving on three catches while senior defensive lineman Keonte Davis (Albemarle, N.C.) led the L-R defense with nine tackles and finished with two of the Bears? 14 tackles for a loss.

Crumbaker had 147 total yards (a team-high 74 on the ground and 73 passing) while Prince Simunyu (Wake Forest, N.C.) led all tacklers with 11 for Brevard.

L-R travels to Greeneville, Tenn., to face Tusculum on Saturday at 7 p.m., while Brevard visits Wingate for 1:30 p.m., kickoff next Saturday as well.