Bishops stave off Monarchs for first victory

North Carolina Wesleyan University picked up its first win of the season by holding off Methodist 19-17 in front of more than 900 fans on Homecoming Saturday at Vernon T. Bradley Stadium.

The Bishops never trailed in improving to 1-2 in the USA South Conference and 1-4 overall.

The Monarchs dropped to 1-2 in the league and 1-4 overall.

Wesleyan struck first on its opening possession as quarterback Chaz Hirschman hooked up with Anthony Byrd on a 65-yard touchdown pass to cap a three-play, 73-yard drive. The extra point was no good, leaving the Bishops with a 6-0 lead.

Methodist had to punt on its first possession and Wesleyan drove from its own 42 to the Monarchs’ 15 as Hirschman completed passes to Christian Drumgoole, Justyce Whitten-Bright and Kiami McKnight before Braxtyn Green’s 31-yard field goal was wide left with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter.

The visitors then drove from their own 20 to the Wesleyan 31 before the Bishops held on downs.

Wesleyan used a 42-yard catch by Rahmir Anderson to move into Methodist territory at the 24, but two plays later, Damian Harris recovered a McKnight fumble and the Bishops were denied at chance at points.

After an exchange of punts, Methodist picked up points near the end of the first half on a 23-yard field goal by Samuel Andrae. The kick capped a 10-play, 25-yard drive which occurred after an unncessary roughness penalty on a punt return gave the Monarchs starting position at the Wesleyan 31.

Methodist took the second half kickoff and marched 50 yards in 11 plays before a 35-yard field goal attempt was no good with 9:22 remaining in the third quarter.

The Bishops needed just five plays to reach the end zone as Anthony Byrd carried the first three plays for 20 yards, Hirschman threw a 47-yard pass to Drumgoole and Byrd finished the possession with an eight-yard TD run. Green’s PAT made it 13-3 with 7:15 left in the third quarter.

Methodist came back with an 81-yard drive in eight plays as Sajari Love scored on a 12-yard TD run with 4:31 left in the third quarter. Andrae’s extra point pulled the Monarchs within three (13-10).

Undaunted, the Bishops responded with a 75-yard drive in seven plays. Byrd carried the first six plays for 48 yards and Hirschman fired a 27-yard TTD strike to Drumgoole with 1:32 remaining in the third stanza. The extra point attempt failed, leaving Wesleyan with a nine-point cushion (19-10).

Methodist accounted for its final points with a 54-yard drive in nine plays. The drive stalled as the Bishops’ defense held at their own 4 and forced a 21-yard field goal which was nullified by a roughing the penalty kicker penalty. After another NCWU penalty and two incompletions, Love caught a seven-yard TD pass from Brennan Brucato and Andrae’s PAT cut the margin to two (19-17) with 1:32 left in the game.

Byrd led Wesleyan with 153 yards rushing on 22 carries and added a 65-yard TD reception while Hirschman completed 10 of 18 passes for 225 yards and two TD. Drumgoole caught five passes for 92 yards.

Eric Cooper paced the Bishops on defense with 13 tackles while Andrew Brown and Botise Manuel added 11 each and Adrian Parson and Aiden Seagroves collected six each.

Love led Methodist in rushing with 71 yards on 15 carries. Brucato was 18 of 33 for 203 yards as Love was his primary target (six receptions, 83 yards).

Omar Goodwin (10 tackles) led the Monarch defense.

Up Next: Wesleyan continues its USA South Conference schedule with a noon game at home on Saturday (Oct. 12) against LaGrange.