BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. – Senior linebacker
Dalton Yates (Easley, S.C.) tied a program record with 17 tackles while sophomore
Jerko'ya Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) added 141 yards from scrimmage, but it was not enough to offset a string of 38 unanswered points in the middle quarters as the Limestone College football team dropped the season opener to Gardner-Webb University, 52-17, on Saturday, September 1.
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Gardner-Webb 52, Limestone 17
Records: Gardner-Webb (1-0), Limestone (0-1)
Location: Ernest W. Spangler Stadium
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
- Patton put up an even 100 rushing yards on 21 carries while adding 41 yards on six catches
- Redshirt-sophomore QB DJ Phillips (Fayetteville, N.C.) went 22-of-35 for 204 yards
- Phillips also tacked on a rushing touchdown
- Sophomore wideout JoJo Watson (Camden, S.C.) hauled in four catches for 86 yards
- Senior WR Cody Rau (Litchfield, Minn.) tallied five catches for 21 yards and a TD
- Yates tied the program's single-game record with 17 tackles
- Sophomore D'Meko Pryor (Cincinnati, Ohio) chipped in seven tackles
- Sophomore DB Mannie Ogletree (North Augusta, S.C.) finished with two tackles and a pick
- Limestone put up 329 yards of total offense, but turned the ball over three times
- Defensively, the Saints gave up 242 yards on the ground and 405 yards total
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
The Saints took advantage of great field position on their second possession after starting its drive at the 50-yard line. Limestone would go 38 yards on 10 plays, highlighted by a 14-yard run by Patton on 4
th-and-3, before senior
Griffin Martin (Goose Creek, S.C.) put the visitors on top 3-0 with a 29-yard field goal.
GWU responded with an 11-play, 75-yard drive before Jaylen Cagle scored from a yard out to make it a 7-3 game. Limestone quickly countered on the next drive, however, as Phillips hit Watson for a 54-yard gain before capping the three-play drive with a 12-yard TD run as the Saints pulled ahead 10-7.
Second Quarter
The Runnin' Bulldogs started to pull away in the second, scoring on two straight offensive possessions in the frame to grab a 21-10 advantage with 10:51 left. Gardner-Webb would then added consecutive defensive scores as a recovered fumble in the end zone and a pick-6 made it a 35-10 contest at the half.
Third Quarter
The turnover bug continued to plaque the Saints in the third after a promising opening drive was cut short when a short pitch on an option-right bounced off Patton's facemask. The Runnin' Bulldogs capitalized as a 13-play, 63-yard drive ended with a field goal before they pushed the margin to 45-10 with a TD late.
Fourth Quarter
Limestone snapped the string of 35 unanswered points early in the fourth when Rau scored on a four-yard reception – the first of his career. Patton helped set up the TD with a 13-yard carry followed by a 33-yard catch and run before senior
Andrew Hutto (Charleston, S.C.) added a pair of catches for 17 yards.
Following a 44-yard return on the ensuing kickoff, Gardner-Webb applied the finishing touches with a 7-play, 54-yard drive that was capped by a Keegan Smith three-yard touchdown run.
TURNING POINT
With Limestone leading 10-7 with one quarter in the books, the Runnin' Bulldogs started to create separation in the second quarter as they recorded two straight offensive touchdowns before adding back-to-back defensive scores. Gardner-Webb would outscore the Saints 38-0 over the middle quarters.
NOTABLES
- Yates tied Raymond Hall for most tackles in a game – Hall posted 17 against Brevard in 2015
- Yates had a total of 26 tackles during the 2017 campaign
- Patton registered his fourth career 100-yard rushing performance
- Limestone surrendered over 50 points in a game for the first time since 2015
- It was the fifth time in program history the Saints have given up 50 or more points in a game
- The Blue and Gold falls to 0-3 all-time against Division I FCS opponents
- Prior to the game, it was announced that former Limestone standout Vyncint Smith made the Houston Texans 53-man roster
UP NEXT
The Saints will continue their three-game road trip to open the season when they visit 19
th-ranked University of West Georgia on Saturday, September 8 at 2 p.m.