ANDERSON, S.C. - Lenoir-Rhyne failed to capitalize on several opportunities on Saturday, falling 42-22 on the road at Anderson.
Despite having a heavy time of possession advantage (34:52 - 25:08), the Bears turned the ball over twice and had six key penalties that led two multiple stalled drives.
"This was a disappointing performance today," said head coach
Doug Socha. "We had a solid week of practice but there were too many errors. Big plays on our defense and inconsistent execution on offense."
Wells Bettenhausen finished with 331 yards through the air, a new career high.
Mikel McClellan led the team with 11 receptions for 132 yards, his third game this season over 100 yards receiving.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Anderson 42, Lenoir-Rhyne 22
Records: Anderson (4-1, 3-0 SAC), Lenoir-Rhyne (2-3, 1-2 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium
STORY OF THE GAME:
- Anderson scored the first points of the game on a 94-yard rush up the middle on their first play of the game.
- Lenoir-Rhyne marched down the field on the next drive, but fumbled at the one yard line to give possession back to the Trojans.
- Christian Santana gave the Bears hope with a 20-yard interception return on Anderson's next drive.
- Eddie Clark put LR on the board with a rushing touchdown, but the extra point was blocked to keep the home side ahead.
- The first four second quarter drives ended in punts before Anderson scored on a 48-yard completion late in the frame.
- Daniel Deneen Jr. kicked a 47-yard field goal with just over a minute remaining in the half to cut the lead to five.
- The Trojans marched up the field in the final minute to score and make it a 21-9 lead at the break.
- Anderson came out firing in the second half, scoring on their first two drives and intercepting the Bears to quickly take a 35-9 lead.
- Shermon Davis scored late in the third for the Bears to make it a 35-16 Anderson lead heading into the final frame.
- Eddie Clark punched it in for his second touchdown of the game early in the fourth, but a 50-yard reception for Anderson quickly put them back in scoring position on their next drive.
- Anderson scored two plays later to essentially put the game away.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Wells Bettenhausen was 30-for-43 with 331 yards and a pick.
- Eddie Clark rushed for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
- Mikel McClellan led the way with 11 receptions for 132 yards, followed by seven catches and 76 yards from Shamil Saadiq.
- KJ Whitehead was tops on the defensive side of things with six tackles, while Brodie Bradburn recorded LR's only sack of the game.
- Christian Santana's first half interception was the second of his career.
- Lenoir-Rhyne had 27 first downs, compared to 18 for Anderson.
- The Trojans out-gained the Bears 520-462 on offense, despite having a nearly nine-minute disadvantage in time of possession.
BEYOND THE STATS:
- After winning the first meeting in 2024, Lenoir-Rhyne has lost their last two to the Trojans.
- Daniel Deneen Jr.'s 47-yard field goal is the longest for a Bear since Johnathan Medlin kicked a 47-yarder against Tusculum in 2022.
- Wells Bettenhausen has eclipsed the 1,000 passing yards mark for the season and now sits at 1,177.
- The Bears have not faced a team with a losing record this season.
Up Next: Lenoir-Rhyne will host Carson-Newman in Hickory next week. The Eagles were upset by Mars Hill 10-6 earlier today. Kick-off is set for 2:00 p.m. from Helen & Leonard Moretz Stadium.
