HICKORY, N.C. – The No. 17 Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team secured a 7-0 season in conference play with a 63-21 drubbing of Catawba on Saturday afternoon at Moretz Stadium. The Bears earned just the third perfect SAC season in program history with the victory and topped 400 yards rushing in the blowout.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 63, Catawba 21
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (10-1, 7-0 SAC), Catawba (3-7, 2-5)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium
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STATS OF THE GAME:
• In the win, redshirt sophomore QB
Grayson Willingham broke the program record for most touchdown passes in a single season when he hit TE
Drake Starks for a 30-yard TD in the first quarter. Willingham went 9-for-14 for 170 yards and two TD strikes on the day, before giving way to
Gunnar Anderson to close out the game.
• Freshman RB
Caine Crews had his best game in an LR jersey, rushing for a game-high 129 yards on 12 carries including a 51-yard scamper.
Dareke Young added four carries for 80 yards and a touchdown, while
Ameen Stevens had 10 carries for 68 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As a team, LR ran for 412 yards and seven touchdowns.
•
T.J. Smith hauled in his 10th touchdown catch of the season on a slant in the 1st quarter. The senior finished with 4 catches for 33 yards.
• Junior safety
Kyle Dugger finished with six tackles and intercepted a pass which he returned 26 yards. The return specialist averaged 20.0 yards per return on his three punts with a long of 31 yards. Dugger entered play ranked inside the top 10 in the nation in punt return average.
•
Jaquan Artis continued to terrorize opposing blockers as the DE recorded 2.5 sacks to go along with six tackles a forced fumble and a pair of QB hurries. Artis now ranks second in the league with 10.5 sacks.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
• The Bears scored the first 42 points of the game before allowing Catawba to score just before the half.
• Prior to today's game, the Bears honored their senior class. Following the contest, LR was presented with the SAC Championship trophy.
• The Bears have scored 30 or more points in every game this season and have rushed for multiple touchdowns in every contest this year.
UP NEXT:
LR will find out its postseason draw tomorrow at 5 p.m. as the NCAA announces its playoff field. The Bears entered play ranked No. 3 in the region and will find out their opponent tomorrow evening.
