HICKORY, N.C. – A career performance for redshirt-freshman Bryson James (Cross Hill, S.C.) led the Anderson University (3-8) football team to a push the No. 20 Lenoir-Rhyne (9-2) Bears to the brink, but ultimately fell with a last-minute field goal, falling 27-24 in their final game of their inaugural season.
With James' 114 yards on the ground, the Trojans were able to outperform the Bears in the team rushing category with 135 in the contest. Junior Tyler Wesley (St. Cloud, Fla.) tossed for 129 yards and two scores in the contest, including a 70-yard bomb to redshirt-freshman Kenneth Brown (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) and a 30-yard strike to redshirt-freshman Bray Simons (Piedmont, S.C.).
Defensively, the Trojans were led by redshirt-freshman Carter Wit (Johns Creek, Ga.) who tallied 11 tackles on the day as well as the pivotal interception that led to the game-tying touchdown in the fourth quarter. Redshirt-freshman Josiah Jeffery (Greenwood, S.C.) added ten tackles and two fumble recoveries while redshirt-freshman Cade Eavenson (Seneca, S.C.) tallied eight total tackles including a sack and two TFLs.
The first quarter was fruitless for both sides as even though Lenoir-Rhyne was able to attempt a field goal on their first drive, the ball would miss the target and keep any scores off the scoreboard for the first 15 minutes of action. However, shortly into the second quarter, the Bears were able to put the first points on the board, scoring on a 17-yard rush to take the 7-0 lead. The Trojans responded a few drives later as after working the ball down the field Bryson James was able to finish the drive with an eight-yard scamper to pull the score even at 7. The Bears were able to quickly work their way into field goal range and converted on a 30-yard try to take the 10-7 lead into the break.
The Bears took the ball down the field on their second their first drive of the third quarter to extend their lead out to 17-7, but it would take just one play for the Trojans to bring the margin back to just three points as Wesley hit Brown in stride for a 70-yard touchdown to bring the score to 17-14. Lenoir-Rhyne closed out the third quarter with another touchdown, retaking the 10-point lead.
Anderson started the fourth quarter with a 28-yard field goal from freshman Ross Burnette (Raleigh, N.C.) that brought the game back to just a seven point margin, a gap they would close to zero on their next drive as Simons found a opening in the defense and hauled in the 30-yard pass from Wesley to tie the game at 24 with 4:37 left to play. Lenoir-Rhyne worked the clock down for the rest of the game and was able to put up a 19-yard field goal with just one second left on the clock, securing their 27-24 win.
The Trojans rounded out their opening season of action with an overall 3-8 record and a 1-7 record in conference play. Four of their losses in the season came in just single score games.
