SALISBURY, N.C. – Finding their footing late in the contest, the Anderson University (5-6, 3-6 SAC) football team ultimately couldn't overcome an early deficit to the Catawba Indians (7-3, 5-3 SAC) on Saturday, November 8 as they dropped a 44-20 decision in the season finale on the road.
Redshirt-sophomore Wilson Edwards (St. Johns, Fla.) made his second straight start, accounting for 213 passing yard and a touchdown while addition 52 yards on the ground as well. Redshirt-senior JB Seay Jr. (Polk County, Fla.) tallied the only other touchdown on the day for the Trojans as he carried for 32 yards on 11 touches. Redshirt-senior Jalon Warthen-Carr (Macon, Ga.) was the favorite target of Edwards on the day, recording five catches for 102 yards and a TD.
Defensively, the Trojans were led by redshirt-sophomore Carter Wit (Johns Creek, Ga.) who was able to record 11 tackles in the contest as well as a pass break up. Fellow redshirt-sophomore Josiah Jeffery (Greenwood, S.C.) turned in seven tackles on the contest, including a tackle-for-loss. Redshirt-freshman Scotty Miley (Catawba, N.C.) provided a block on one of Catawba's PATs.
Catwaba started the contest with possession but neither team was fruitful on their opening drive of the contest. That quickly changed for the Catawba Indians as they were able to put up points in the next three drives, with two touchdowns and a field goal, while holding the Trojans scoreless to take a 17-0 lead into the second quarter. Anderson was able to break the scoreless affair however early in the second quarter as graduate Elijah Swett (Matthews, N.C.) was able to convert from 34 yards out and give the Trojans three points.
The teams traded touchdowns on their next two possessions as after Catawba was able to put six points on the board, the Trojans were able to capitalize on a big reception from Warthen-Carr to set up first and goal from the five. It took all four downs to do it, but the Trojans were able to score as Edwards found Warthen-Carr again to the right, making the score 23-10. Catawba scored once more in the opening half to take the 30-10 lead into the break.
Both teams were able to put points on the board to open the third quarter, however unfortunately for the Trojans they traded a field goal for a Catawba touchdown to bring the score to 37-13. The same could be said for the fourth quarter as well, though this time the Trojans were able to match the Catawba Indians efforts with Seay Jr. finishing off a three-play drive with a 13-yard scamper to make the score 44-20, where it would stand until the final whistle.
Anderson completes their second season of competition making huge strides from the first year. The Trojans were able to triple their conference win total from a season ago and increase their total win total from three to five.
