HICKORY, N.C. - Newberry came into Hickory and spoiled family weekend for the Bears, winning 20-17 on a last second field goal.
Despite being out gained 422-367 in total offense, Newberry forced fumbles on back-to-back Lenoir-Rhyne possessions in the second half to swing momentum their way.
"We're disappointed in the self-inflicted mistakes," said head coach
Doug Socha. "This was a game where we beat ourselves and didn't deserve to win."
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (RV) Lenoir-Rhyne 17, Newberry 20
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (2-3, 2-2 SAC), Newberry (3-1, 2-1 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium
STORY OF THE GAME:
- The first quarter ended in a 0-0 draw after missed field goals from each team.
- Newberry opened the scoring with a touchdown at the 6:24 mark of the second quarter.
- Daniel Deneen Jr. scored Lenoir-Rhyne's only points of the first half with a field goal late in the half.
- Alex Boyd used a 13-yard touchdown run to put Lenoir-Rhyne up 10-7 after their first drive of the second half.
- Newberry answered on their next drive as Reed Charpia hit Keith Desaussure for a 33-yard touchdown reception to put the Wolves up 14-10.
- Fumbles on the next two Bear possessions kept Newberry just ahead of the Bears.
- The Wolves hit a field goal on their first drive of the fourth quarter to go up a touchdown, 17-10.
- Tate O'Bryan powered in for a 16-yard receiving touchdown to tie the game up at 17-17 with 11 minutes left.
- Following a Lenoir-Rhyne turnover on downs, Newberry marched down the field and hit a 27-yard field goal with no time left on the clock to secure the win.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Khamoni Robinson, who was out with an injury last week, came back and went 17-for-27 with 213 yards and a touchdown, all while rushing for 63 yards.
- Zayvion Turner-Knox stepped up, rushing for 103 yards.
- Destun Thomas has broken out as a key receiver for the Bears, catching seven passes for 81 yards. Zion Agnew had three catches for 61 yards.
- Ben Watson and Christian Santana each had seven tackles, while Maddox Aprile led with 2.0 TFL.
- Lenoir-Rhyne got to quarterback Reed Charpia, totaling seven tackles for loss and one sack.
- Brodie Bradburn finished with three tackles, one TFL, and four quarterback hurries.
- Stewart Simmons averaged 41.5 yards per punt, with a long of 50.
BEYOND THE STATS:
- This game was delayed one hour and 15 minutes due to a lightning delay prior to kickoff.
- Lenoir-Rhyne holds the all-time series lead at 49-36-7.
- Newberry has now won three of their last five matchups with the Bears.
- Khamoni Robinson still leads the SAC with 245.8 passing yards per game.
Lenoir-Rhyne will travel to Valdosta State next week to face off against last year's national runner-ups. The Blazers, who are under a new regime, currently sit at 2-2 and fell 31-0 to UNC Pembroke earlier today. The game will take place in Valdosta, Georgia, at 4:00 p.m. ET.