WISE, Va. – For the first time in program history the Anderson University (3-3, 1-3 SAC) football team found themselves on top of the scoreboard in the end of a South Atlantic Conference contest as they were able to pick up the 20-13 win over the Cavaliers of UVA Wise (2-3, 1-2 SAC) on the road on Saturday, October 12.
Redshirt-junior JB Seay Jr. (Polk County, Fla.) led the rushing attack for the Trojans on the afternoon, going for 58 yards and touchdown. Junior Tyler Wesley (St. Cloud, Fla.) added 24 yards on the ground as well and a score while also adding 105 yards through the air and touchdown pass as well. Redshirt-freshman Dylan Manders (Watkinsville, Ga.) hauled in that lone touchdown pass on his only reception of the day for 35 yards.
Defensively the Trojans were led by redshirt-freshman Darrion Perry (Beaufort, S.C.) with 13 total tackles on the day, including a sack and a TFL for a loss of eight yards. He also added a pair of pass breakups. Redshirt-freshman Josiah Jeffery (Greenwood, S.C.) added 11 tackles and a share of a TFL while redshirt-freshman Carter Wit (Johns Creek, Ga.) hauled in his second interception of the year on just the second play from scrimmage in the contest.
After Wit brought in the interception on the second play, the Trojans were primed to make their mark on the scoreboard early, starting their first drive in Wise territory. Anderson was able to drive 15 yards forward to set up a 39-yard field goal try, but that proved unsuccessful. UVA Wise was able to drive down the field on their next possession and put up the first points of the game to take the 7-0 lead out of the first quarter.
A long run by redshirt-junior Monz Campbell (Lake Waccamaw, N.C.) with an additional 15-yards added on due to a late hit set the Trojans up with a 35-yard toss from Wesley to Manders to even the score up at 7. UVA Wise converted on a field goal on the next drive, while the teams traded fruitless ventures in their final two drives of the opening half, giving the Cavaliers the slight 10-7 lead heading into the halftime break.
The Trojans were able to take advantage of their first drive do the second half and take it all the way down and into the endzone, rolling the dice as Seay Jr. was able to punch it in from one yard out on fourth down to give the Black and Gold the 14-10 advantage. The Trojans defense forced the Cavaliers to punt on the next drive and were able to methodically work their way down the field, with Wesley finishing off the drive from three yards out to extend the Trojans lead to 20-10.
Wise was able to finish out the third quarter with a field goal to close the Trojans lead to 20-13, but the Trojans would start to work the clock in the fourth quarter with the Cavaliers trying to find the endzone again. Anderson's defense held fast throughout the frame, with redshirt-senior Ryan Richardson (Birmingham, Ala.) sealing the deal on a fourth and long with a sack that gave the Black and Gold the ball back, taking time off the clock and wrapping up their 20-13 win.
The Trojans return to action next Saturday, October 19 as they welcome in the Wasps of Emory & Henry to Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
