Quay Brown
Junior Quay Brown finished with 113 yards on just three catches, including a 59-yard TD that sparked a 35-10 run for the Saints.
42
Winner Carson-Newman C-N 7-2 , 5-2
35
Limestone LC 3-7 , 2-5
Winner
Carson-Newman C-N
7-2 , 5-2
42
Final
35
Limestone LC
3-7 , 2-5
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
C-N Carson-Newman 21 3 7 11 42
LC Limestone 0 17 10 8 35

Game Recap: Football | | Ernest Meyers, Assistant A.D. for Media Relations

Limestone Rallies from 24 Down, but Falls Late to Carson-Newman on Senior Day

GAFFNEY, S.C. – The Limestone College football team rallied from an early 24-point deficit to take a lead midway through the fourth quarter, but a costly turnover following a recovery of an onside kick would allowed Carson-Newman University to escape with a 42-35 SAC win on Senior Day at The Reservation.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Carson-Newman 42, Limestone 35
Records: Carson-Newman (7-2, 5-2), Limestone (3-7, 2-5)
Location: The Reservation
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 
  • Junior QB DJ Phillips (Fayetteville, N.C.) went 15-of-33 for 254 yards and two touchdowns
  • Junior WR Quay Brown (Rock Hill, S.C.) hauled in three catches for 113 yards and a TD
  • Junior RB Jerko'ya Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) rushed 16 times for 94 yards
  • Patton added 24 receiving yards out of the backfield with a touchdown
  • Sophomore RB Malik Brooks (Saluda, S.C.) scored twice to go with 48 rushing yards
  • Sophomore WR Juwan Scott (North Charleston, S.C.) tallied four catches for 72 yards
  • Junior K Thomas Cook (Moore, S.C.) nailed a pair of field goals for 22 and 47 yards
  • Sophomore LB Tallon Campbell (Cheraw, S.C.) led the defense with nine tackles
  • Senior DB DJ Witherspoon (Moncks Corner, S.C.) added eight tackles and a forced fumble
  • Senior DB Mannie Ogletree (North Augusta, S.C.) collected his fourth interception of the year
  • The Saints finished with 388 yards against the league's second-ranked defense
  • Limestone won the turnover battle, 3-2, but Carson-Newman finished with an 11-10 margin in points off turnovers
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Quarter
 
Known for its prolific rushing offense, it was the passing attack that staked the visiting Eagles to a quick 7-0 lead as Braxton Westfield scored on a 53-yard catch and run. Limestone would go three-and-out on its first possession, and the Eagles would make it 14-0 two plays later with a 62-yard run right up the middle.
 
The Saints again went three-and-out on offense and the Eagles appeared to put the game out of reach less than 10 minutes in as an 8-play, 76-yard drive made it 21-0 with 6:06 left in the first. Limestone had just 34 yards in the first quarter while Carson-Newman put up 235 yards over the first 15 minutes of play.
 
Second Quarter
 
The Eagles extended the margin to 24-0 behind a 42-yard field goal early in the third, but the Limestone offense would get something working on its next possession. Patton started the drive with a 16-yard run before Phillips found Brown on a deep slant for a nifty 59-yard catch-and-score, cutting the lead to 24-7.
 
The Saints then came up with a big defensive stop as Ogletree registered his second interception in as many weeks. Limestone capitalized with a 10-play, 55-yard drive, highlighted by 42 yards on the ground by Patton, but the drive would stall inside the 10 before Cook connected on a 22-yard field goal.
 
On Carson-Newman's ensuring possession, the Blue and Gold forced another turnover as freshman DB Kris Williams (Clinton, S.C.) jumped on fumble at the C-N 31. Phillips hit Patton for a 10-yard gain on third down before the duo hooked up again for a four-yard TD as the Saints close the gap to 24-17 at the half.
 
Third Quarter
 
Limestone opened the second half with a 53-yard drive, getting a huge play on 3rd-and-13 with a 44-yard reception by Scott, before Cook nailed a 47-yarder to pull the Saints to within 24-20 with 12:04 remaining. The Eagles threatened on their first possession of the second half, but would miss a 48-yard field goal try.
 
However, the Saints quickly went three-and-out before a short punt set Carson-Newman up deep inside Limestone territory late in the third. The visitors took full advantage of the short field, moving the ball 39 yards on just four plays to take a 31-20 lead while snapping the Blue and Gold's 20-point run.
 
The Saints responded immediately following a 38-yard kickoff return by senior Shanard Bain (Spartanburg, S.C.) to around midfield. Phillips then found senior TE Chase Truesdale (Camden, S.C.) for 24 yards plus 15 more for a targeting call before Brooks scored from seven yards out to make it 31-27.
 
Fourth Quarter
 
Carson-Newman started the fourth on the Limestone side of the field but the defense held strong to force a fourth-and-long before a 50-yard field goal attempt was blocked by freshman Devonte Allen (Cincinnati, Ohio). The Saints could not take advantage though as the Eagles recorded their 18th pick of the year.
 
Following a field goal by C-N, Limestone overcame the early 24-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter as a 7-play, 75-yard drive put the home team on top for the first time on the day, 35-34. Phillips found Brown for 41 yards on a free play before Brooks busted loose on a 22-yard TD on 4th-and-1. 
 
Sophomore QB Alec Morton (Simpsonville, S.C.) ran in a two-point conversion that put the Saints in front, 35-34, before the special teams unit came up with a fumble recovery on the ensuing kickoff. Limestone moved into the redzone but a fumble on a QB keeper would give the Eagles the ball back with 3:14 left.
 
The Eagles promptly moved down the field, highlighted by a 50-yard completion to Romain Kelly down to the 13-yard line. Carson-Newman would steal the win with a three-yard touchdown run by Antonio Wimbush four plays later and then punched in the two-point conversion to seal the 42-35 final decision.  
 
TURNING POINT
 
Limestone completed its largest comeback in program history, overcoming a 24-0 deficit early in the second, but the Saints responded with a 35-10 run to take its only lead of the day late in the fourth. However, a Limestone turnover with an opportunity to bleed the clock and possibly extend the lead would allow Carson-Newman to score the game-winner with 19 seconds left in regulation.
 
NOTABLES
 
  • The 24-point deficit was the largest comeback in team history, besting the previous mark of 17 points in a win over Newberry at the end of the 2017 season
  • Carson-Newman finished with 509 yards of offense, including 364 yards on the ground
  • Senior LB Wesley Robinson (Sparanburg, S.C.) added seven tackles
  • Freshman Dylan Reeves (Raleigh, N.C.) recorded a sack for the Saints
  • The Saints fall to 0-5 all-time against the Eagles
 
UP NEXT
 
Limestone will close out the 2019 season next weekend when it travels to take on rival Newberry College on Saturday, November 16 at 1 p.m.
 
Print Friendly Version