HICKORY, N.C. - Lenoir-Rhyne failed to hold on to a 14-3 halftime lead on Saturday, falling 20-17 to Wingate.
The Bears were up 14-3 at the break before 14 third quarter points from the Bulldogs, a late 25-yard field goal, and an interception with 51 seconds remaining sealed the win for the visitors.
"Very disappointing," said head coach
Doug Socha. "This is a game that comes down to one score. We had bad penalties, turnovers, and not good enough in critical moments. It starts with me and we will all stay focused on improving."
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Wingate 20, Lenoir-Rhyne 17
Records: Wingate (4-4, 3-3 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (3-5, 2-4 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium
STORY OF THE GAME:
- Wingate went up 3-0 on a 13-play, 72-yard drive early in the first.
- Following a Wingate interception, the Lenoir-Rhyne defense held firm and forced a turnover on downs at the three yard line.
- Lenoir-Rhyne went up 7-3 on a trick play that saw Carson Spoonts complete a 48-yard touchdown pass to Tye Roberson in the second quarter.
- Brodie Bradburn picked off Wingate's Brooks Brien on the next possession to set Lenoir-Rhyne up for another score.
- LJ Turner punched it in from five yards out for his eighth rushing touchdown of the year.
- RJ de Madet ended the half with the Bears' second interception of the game.
- The Bulldogs scored touchdowns on two of their three third quarter possessions to take a 17-14 lead with 15 minutes remaining.
- Cole Allbaugh capped off a nine play, 53-yard drive with a field goal to tie the game at 17-17 with 7:19 remaining.
- Wingate answered with a long drive of their own, eventually kicking a 25-yard field goal to go up three with just over a minute left in the game.
- A late interception on the Bears' final drive sealed the Bulldog victory.
STATS OF THE GAME:
BEYOND THE STATS:
- Lenoir-Rhyne still holds a 24-18 lead in the all-time series vs. Wingate, but has not defeated the Bulldogs since 2021, losing five straight.
- All five losses have been by four points or less.
- Carson-Newman sits on top of the SAC standings, followed by Mars Hill and Newberry.
- The Bears had not lost on Homecoming since a 38-24 defeat to No. 16 Newberry in 2022.
Up Next: Nearly the entire South Atlantic Conference has a bye next week. The Bears will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 31, when they travel to Emory, Virginia, to take on Emory & Henry. The Wasps are 3-5 (2-4 SAC) and fell 31-10 to Carson-Newman earlier today. Prior to that defeat, E&H had defeated both Anderson and Mars Hill. Kick-off for that contest is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
