BRIDGEWATER, Va. – Trailing 14-0 after one quarter, the Stevenson University football team erupted for 26 points in the second quarter as the Mustangs (1-0) defeated Bridgewater (Va) (0-1) 32-27 on Saturday night in the opener for both teams.
Leading 32-21 in the fourth quarter, Bridgewater netted a late touchdown but had its potential game winning drive stalled at the Mustangs' 37-yard line with 1:48 left in the game.
It was a balance of offensive and defensive plays for the Mustangs in its opener, as starting quarterback
Jailen Knight went 9-for-18 for 152 yards in his Stevenson debut. He found four different receivers as
Seth Parker caught three passes for 91 yards, with
Dillon Johnson getting three catches for 32 yards.
Stephen Tatum caught two passes for 22 yards.
On the ground,
Louis Clouser accounted for two scores, as he rushed for 52 yards and scored on runs of 6 and 1-yard. Parker rushed for a score as well.
Micah Veilleux was 2-for-2 on field goals, including a school record 49-yard kick. He averaged 33.1 yards per punt.
Defensively, the Mustangs got two interceptions, including an 85-yard pick six from
Matthew Berry near the end of the first half.
Daryus Henderson had an interception and returned it 50 yards.
Victor Achoronye,
Colin Riley and Thomas Fisher each had a sack, with Henderson finishing with eight total tackles. Berry had six as did
Tysean Milligan.
Trailing 14-0 after one quarter, Stevenson got on the board with 14:19 left in the first half as Clouser scored on a six-yard run to put the Mustangs within eight at 14-6.
The Mustangs pulled to within two at 14-12 on its next drive, going 73 yards capped by a nine-yard run from Parker with 6:50 left.
On the ensuing kickoff, Bridgewater would fumble the ball and Veilleux would recover giving the Mustangs the ball at the Bridgewater 46. Clouser would score his second TD of the night, on a one-yard run with 2:48 left for a 19-14 lead.
Berry's interception came with just seconds left before halftime and covered 85 yards giving the Mustangs a 26-14 lead at intermission.
After Bridgewater pulled to within five at 26-21 with 5:12 left in the third quarter, the Eagles would get the ball back following a short Stevenson drive. However, Henderson's interception with 2:59 left in the third gave the Mustangs the ball at the Eagles' 26 yard line.
Veilleux would net his first of two field goals on the night, a 36-yarder, with 1:28 left in the third and a 29-21 Stevenson lead. His second field goal, with 12:05 left in the game gave the Mustangs a 32-21 lead.
Bridgewater's final drive was aided by a short field – starting at the Mustangs' 40 – but they would get no further than the 37.
Stevenson opens Middle Atlantic Conference play on Saturday at home against Widener.
