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Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics

DeShaun Whitmire
14
Winner Wingate WIN 7-1 , 5-1
10
Lenoir-Rhyne LRU 7-2 , 5-2
Winner
Wingate WIN
7-1 , 5-1
14
Final
10
Lenoir-Rhyne LRU
7-2 , 5-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
WIN Wingate 0 14 0 0 14
LRU Lenoir-Rhyne 0 0 10 0 10

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

Bears drop heartbreaker to Bulldogs

HICKORY, NC - The Bears offense couldn't find a late answer on Saturday as they fell 14-10 to Wingate. A defensive battle, each team scored all their points in a single quarter, with Wingate scoring 14 in the second and Lenoir-Rhyne 10 in the third. The winner of this game all but secured their spot in the SAC Championship game in two weeks. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #12 Lenoir-Rhyne 10, (RV) Wingate 14
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (7-2, 5-2 SAC), Wingate (7-1, 4-1 SAC)
Location: Moretz Stadium | Hickory, NC

STORY OF THE GAME:
  • The Bears offense struggled in the first half as they were out-gained 226-28 by the Bulldogs.
  • Despite the offensive discrepancy, the LR defense held strong and allowed just 14 Wingate points, all in the second quarter. 
  • John Royal blocked a field goal attempt early in the opening quarter to set the tone for the game.
  • The Bears went into the half down 14-0, their first halftime deficit of the season. 
  • Lenoir-Rhyne used a 26-yard Jamir Fox run early in the third quarter to put them just shy of the red zone.
  • Jalen Ferguson put the Bears on the board with a 22-yard rushing touchown. 
  • Jake Brown hit a 27-yard field goal on Lenoir-Rhyne's next drive to make it a one-score game.
  • Wingate ate up the clock with three long drives in the fourth, keeping the Bears off the ball. 
  • The Bulldog defense forced an LR turnover on downs with a minute left in the fourth to seal the win.
STATS OF THE GAME:
  • Jalen Ferguson was 16-for-34 for 119 yards, a rushing touchdown and an interception. 
  • Adonis McDaniel led the Bears with five receptions for 67 yards.
  • Jaelin Willis led the Bears with 14 tackles and 1.5 TFL.
  • Ben Watson was second on the team with eight tackles.
  • Nic Cheeley recorded an interception for the fourth straight game.
  • Stewart Simmons punted nine times and averaged 42.1 yards per punt, including a long of 53.
  • Wingate was 7-for-17 on third down conversions, compared to 4-for-16 for the Bears.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
  • Willis' 14 tackles are a season high for the Bears and tied for a collegiate career high.
  • Lenoir-Rhyne still holds a 24-16 series lead, but haven't beaten the Bulldogs since 2021.
  • Adonis McDaniel now has 577 receiving yards on the season.
  • Cheeley is tied with Chris Brown for the season lead with four interceptions.
UP NEXT: The Bears will now need to win their next two games to have a shot at the playoffs. They will first have to get past Catawba, who currently sit at 2-6 and are battling Barton today. Kickoff next week is set for 6 PM in Salisbury, NC. 
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