HICKORY, N.C. – The No. 8 Lenoir-Rhyne Football Team won its ninth straight home game and successfully defended the Bishops' Trophy with a 34-17 victory in the South Atlantic Conference opener over Newberry. Grayson Willingham went 15-for-20 for 176 yards and a touchdown to move into sole possession of third place with 32 career passing TDs. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 34, Newberry 17
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (3-0, 1-0 SAC), Newberry (0-3, 0-1 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium
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STATS OF THE GAME:
•   Lenoir-Rhyne held a 17-minute advantage in time of possession to overcome a pair of turnovers in tonight's 17-point victory. LR grinded out 363 yards rushing on 64 carries to impose their will on the Wolves. 
•   In his Lenoir-Rhyne debut, RB Jace Jordan had five carries for 96 yards (all in the first half) with his first touch going for 37 yards. Jordan added an 18-yard reception to his ledger.  
 •  Demarius Hampton recorded a career-high with seven receptions which totaled 65 yards. 
•    Newberry's Bobby Irby made a highlight-reel 20-yard TD catch in the second quarter to pull the Wolves within seven at 17-10 but LR answered with back-to-back TDs.  
•    Ameen Stevens' nine-yard TD plunge capped a 14-play, 66-yard drive that chewed up 5:48 to put the Bears ahead 24-10. 
•    Drake Starks added two catches for 61 yards and a 56-yard touchdown reception late in the third quarter to give the Bears a 31-10 advantage. 
•   Tate Beaver ran for 65 yards and scored his first career touchdown and Jaquay Mitchell added 10 carries for 75 yards.  
•    Defensively, Sherrod Williams led the way with six tackles, one tackle for loss, three quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. Dan Louba added 1.5 sacks and blocked a field goal for LR as well.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
•    LR has an 18-15 edge in the Battle for the Bishops Trophy. These two teams have played annually for the trophy since 1987. 
•    Newberry QB Dre Harris went 15-for-23 with a pair of touchdowns and is the first player this year to throw for more than one touchdown against the stingy LR defense. 
•    The Bears have not allowed a single player to rush for 100 yards since Drew Cronic took over prior to the 2018 season. 

UP NEXT:
LR continues conference play when they travel to Mars Hill next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff.