HICKORY, N.C. - West Alabama scored 17 points in the fourth quarter, two directly off Lenoir-Rhyne turnovers, to come into Hickory and stun #21 Lenoir-Rhyne 34-23 on a hot and sunny Saturday afternoon.
The Bears totaled five turnovers in the game, coming from two fumbles and three interceptions. The Tigers took advantage in the fourth, running a fumble and interception back for touchdowns.
"Have to coach better," said head coach
Doug Socha. "We played sloppy with turnovers and missed opportunities all over the field."
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: West Alabama 34, #21 Lenoir-Rhyne 23
Records: West Alabama (2-0), Lenoir-Rhyne (1-1)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Moretz Stadium
STORY OF THE GAME:
- It was a rockfight in the first quarter as West Alabama led 3-0 after one.
- Tiger quarterback Luther Richesson connected with Cam Joseph for a 25-yard touchdown early in the second, putting UWA up 10-0.
- The Bears got their first points of the game off a safety, with Javion Lammie and Ryan Fletcher combining for the big TFL.
- On LR's next drive, Eddie Clark broke out for an 87-yard touchdown run to bring the Bears within one.
- Another stop by the Bear defense paved the way for an LJ Turner 57-yard touchdown run on the next drive, putting the Bears up 16-10.
- West Alabama scored late in the half to take a 17-16 lead into the break.
- The third quarter featured two punts and two missed field goals, ending in no points in the frame.
- Lenoir-Rhyne's first play of the fourth quarter was a Turner 76-yard touchdown run, putting the Beras up 23-17.
- That would end up as the Bear's final score as LR's next three possessions ended in a fumble recovery for touchdown, interception, and pick-six.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Quarterback Wells Bettenhausen was 14-for-26 with 158 yards and three interceptions.
- LJ Turner led the way with 148 yards on the ground and two touchdowns.
- Eddie Clark wasn't far behind, going for 107 yards and a score.
- Mikel McClellan caught five passes for 65 yards to lead the Bears.
- Christian Santana finished with seven tackles and 2.0 TFL.
- Carnell Ferguson joined Santana with 2.0 TFL.
- The Bears out-gained the Tigers 449-296 on offense but only had 12 first downs, compared to 16 for West Alabama.
- The rushing game continues to shine for the Bears, as they finished with 291 rushing yards on the ground.
- Despite scoring 23 points, Lenoir-Rhyne never entered the red-zone on the day.
BEYOND THE STATS:
- Daniel Deneen Jr.'s 74-yard punt in the second quarter came just nine yards shy of the school record and is the longest in DII this year.
- Eddie Clark's 87-yard touchdown run is the longest for a Bear since Zayvion Turner-Knox ran for 87 against Valdosta State in 2023.
- The Bears are now 1-3 all-time against the Tigers.
- The last time a fumble was returned for a touchdown against the Bears was in 2018 vs. Carson-Newman.
- This game began an hour later than originally planned due to a lightning delay.
Up Next: Lenoir-Rhyne will travel to Newberry next week for their first road test of the year. The Wolves, who won the SAC last season and advanced to the national semi-finals, took down NAIA Reinhardt 38-3 in their season opener today. Kickoff for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
