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Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

Songa Yates
24
Anderson AND 3-8 , 1-7
27
Winner Lenoir-Rhyne LRU 9-2 , 6-2
Anderson AND
3-8 , 1-7
24
Final
27
Lenoir-Rhyne LRU
9-2 , 6-2
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
AND Anderson 0 7 7 10 24
LRU Lenoir-Rhyne 0 10 14 3 27

Game Recap: Football | | Joel Krenz, Assistant AD for Media and Communications

Bears celebrate senior day with win over Anderson

HICKORY, NC - Nothing comes easy in the South Atlantic Conference. The Lenoir-Rhyne football team had a surprsing battle on Saturday, as the Anderson Trojans came to town with nothing to lose. Despite Anderson keeping it close, Jake Brown hit a field goal as time expired to give the Bears a 27-24 victory. 

"It was great to get this win for the seniors," said Coach Doug Socha. "This gets us to 9-2 and gives us an opportunity to go the playoffs. These guys knew what was on the line, and we had to fight every last second of the game. I'm really proud of these guys."

Prior to the game, the Bears honored all 18 of their graduating seniors. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #20 Lenoir-Rhyne 27, Anderson 24
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (9-2, 6-2 SAC), Anderson (2-8, 1-7 SAC)
Location: Moretz Stadium | Hickory, NC

STORY OF THE GAME:
  • LR's defense forced three and outs on both of Anderson's first quarter drives. 
  • Jamir Rush opened the second quarter with a 17-yard rushing touchdown. 
  • The teams traded stalled drives before the Trojans tied the game with a rushing touchdown just before the half. 
  • Songa Yates had a big 31-yard reception on LR's final drive of the half to set up Jake Brown for a 30-yard field goal, sending the Bears into the break up 10-7.
  • Both Yates and Aiden Heilmann caught touchdown passes from Jalen Ferguson in the third quarter as the Bears led 24-14 with one quarter left to play.
  • Anderson scored 10 unanswered in the fourth to tie things up, but an 8-play, 63-yard drive for the Bears put Brown in perfect position to make a 19-yarder for the win.
STATS OF THE GAME:
  • Jalen Ferguson was 29-for-43 for 295 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
  • Songa Yates led the team with nine receptions for  120 receiving yards and a touchdown. 
  • Jamir Fox continued his strong play, rushing for 66 yards and a touchdown.
  • Aiden Heilmann's touchdown was his only catch of the game.
  • Christian Santana led the Bears with seven tackles and one sack.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
  • Lenoir-Rhyne held a 26-10 edge in first downs and a 411-264 advantage in total yards.
  • Yates' 120 receiving yards are the second most in his career. 
  • This marks the first time since 2018 and 2019 the Bears have had nine wins in back-to-back seasons.
  • This was the first time these teams have ever met, as Anderson is a brand new program.
UP NEXT: Sitting at No. 5 in Super Region II, the Bears will learn their playoff fate tomorrow night with the NCAA Selection Show at 6 p.m. The selection show can be found at NCAA.com.
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