HICKORY, N.C. - The Bears just wanted it more on Saturday, using a
Tye Roberson kickoff return on the first kick of the game to take and early lead and never looking back, taking down the Mars Hill Lions 45-0.
This was the Bears' first shutout over Mars Hill since 1929, and their first in the modern era.
"The guys played with great energy today," said head coach
Doug Socha. "Two special teams touchdowns were huge and the defense played great."
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 45, Mars Hill 0
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (5-4, 4-3 SAC), Mars Hill (3-5, 2-4 SAC)
Location: Mars Hill, N.C. | Meares Stadium
STORY OF THE GAME:
- Tye Roberson took the opening kickoff 87 yards to the house for his second kickoff return touchdown of the year.
- Lenoir-Rhyne led 7-0 after one thanks to just three combined first downs from both teams in the opening frame.
- Alex Boyd busted out for a 53-yard run on his first carry of the second quarter, then cashed in two plays later for the touchdown.
- Songa Yates extended the lead to 21-0 with the first punt return touchdown of his career.
- On Lenoir-Rhyne's final drive of the half, Khamoni Robinson hit Destun Thomas for his third touchdown of the year, putting the Bears up 28-0 at the break.
- The scoring continued in the third quarter with Robinson connecting with Zion Angew for a seven yard touchdown completion.
- Lenoir-Rhyne's final touchdown of the game came on a 29-yard receiving touchdown from Songa Yates on a drive that was started by a James Ussery fumble recovery.
- The Bears opened the fourth quarter with a 16-play, nine minute drive, capping it off with a Brayden Cresimore 42-yard field goal.
- Just when it looked like Mars Hill was about to ruin the shutout, Ryan Fletcher forced a fumble at the LR seven with 39 seconds left to keep it a 45-0 game.
STATS OF THE GAME:
BEYOND THE STATS:
- Tye Roberson now has two kickoff return touchdowns on the season.
- Songa Yates moves into a tie for 8th in LR history with 16 career receiving touchdowns.
- The Bears now hold a 27-24-1 lead in the all time series with Mars Hill.
- Khamoni Robinson needs just two touchdowns to tie Brian Bryson (1987) for 10th in single-season passing touchdowns.
- Stewart Simmons leads the SAC in punting average after his five punts today.
The Bears head to Wingate next week for a big rivaLRy matchup. The Bears haven't beaten the Bulldogs since a 31-6 road win in 2021. Wingate took down Anderson 30-3 earlier today. Kickoff for next Saturday's contest is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
