NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Bears showed they can handle adversity on Saturday, rebounding from last week's loss to take down No. 11 Newberry 21-14 in the pouring rain.
Locked in a scoreless battle at the half, Newberry scored early in the third before the Bears answered with 21 consecutive points. This is the second highest ranked win in Lenoir-Rhyne's NCAA history, as they defeated No. 4 Benedict in the NCAA playoffs in 2023.
"I thought our guys played very gritty and found a way to win," said head coach
Doug Socha. "Some areas were definitely better than others and still a lot to clean up before next week."
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (RV) Lenoir-Rhyne 21, #11 Newberry 14
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (2-1, 1-0 SAC), Newberry (1-1, 0-1 SAC)
Location: Newberry, S.C. | Setzler Field
STORY OF THE GAME:
- This game saw the first nine possessions of the game end in punts, including punts of 69 and 58 yards from Daniel Deneen Jr.
- Newberry looked to go ahead on a field goal late in the half, but Jerome Triplin III blocked the kick and Latavius Moore recovered it to keep the game scoreless at the break.
- The Wolves opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to go up 7-0.
- Following an LR punt, KJ Whitehead gave the Bears possession by both forcing and recovering a fumble.
- Wells Bettenhausen took advantage, hitting tight end Carson Spoonts for a 51-yard touchdown reception, tying the game.
- The teams went into the final quarter locked in a 7-7 battle.
- Lenoir-Rhyne's first drive of the fourth ended on an LJ Turner 1-yard rushing touchdown.
- Latavius Moore intercepted Coleman Gray's pass two plays later and returned it 20 yards to set the Bears up in the red zone.
- This time it was Eddie Clark doing the scoring, punching it in from four yards out to double the Bear's lead.
- Newberry scored once more and had the ball late, but a big pass breakup from KJ Makins kept the Wolves at bay.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Quarterback Wells Bettenhausen was 10-for-17 for 131 yards and a touchdown.
- LJ Turner led the Bears with 45 yards and score, followed by Eddie Clark's 39 yards and a score.
- Jaidin Haynes was tops with three receptions, while Carson Spoonts' 51-yard touchdown was good enough for the most yards on the team.
- Brodie Bradburn led the Bears with nine tackles and two tackles for loss.
- Latavius Moore had five tackles, an 20-yard interception return, a pass breakup, and a recovery of a blocked field goal.
- Daniel Deneen Jr. had eight punts for an average of 44.9 yards.
- Newberry outgained Lenoir-Rhyne 415-225 on offense and doubled the Bears up with a 22-11 advantage in first downs.
- Newberry fumbled the ball six times, losing just one.
BEYOND THE STATS:
- The Bears lead the all-time series 50-36-7 and have won three of the last four meetings.
- Newberry won the SAC last season and advanced to the national semi-finals.
- Daniel Deneen Jr. is now the only kicker in DII with multiple punts over 69+ yards.
- Eddie Clark and LJ Turner have accounted for eight of Lenoir-Rhyne's 12 touchdowns on the year.
- This was Newberry's first loss in a one score game since falling 21-14 to Mars Hill in the final game of 2023.
Up Next: Lenoir-Rhyne will play host to Mars Hill next week. The Lions are 2-0 after defeating Catawba 22-16 in overtime earlier today. This game doubles as the Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics Hall of Fame game. The ceremony will take place at 1:30 in P.E. Monroe Auditorium and is open to everyone. This year's induction class will be honored at halftime of the game. Kickoff for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
