Saturday, November 1
Buies Creek, N.C.
1:00 p.m.
Davidson College
49
at
0
Campbell
Photo by: Sideline Sports
Davidson Football Downs Campbell 49-0 in First Meeting
11/1/2008 5:01:25 PM | Football
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Davidson quarterback Ryan Alexander threw for 254 yards, and the Wildcats rushed for 262 yards and six touchdowns to post a 49-0 Pioneer Football League victory over Campbell at Barker-Lane Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Alexander completed 19-of-25 passes, including a 26-yard TD pass to Andrew Aldrich. Kenny Mantuo led the ground attack with 105 yards and two scores on 14 carries, while Justin Williams rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries. Chad Barnes had 79 yards and a TD on 16 carries.
The Davidson defense pitched its first shutout since a 31-0 victory over Wesley at Richardson Stadium Oct. 26, 2002. The 'Cats gave up 143 yards of total offense (75 rushing, 68 passing) and forced four turnovers. Davidson combined for 12 tackles for loss and six sacks.
Matt Easton led the way with two interceptions, and Brandon Yeargan logged his first career pick. Will Funderburg collected six tackles, two tackles for loss, a half sack and a fumble recovery.
The victory ended a four-game losing skid for Davidson (3-5, 2-4 PFL). It was the first meeting on the gridiron between Campbell and Davidson; the Camels (1-8, 0-6 PFL) are playing their first varsity season since the 1950s. The Wildcats, who have played six of their first eight games on the road, have their last three contests at home.
“It feels good to hear that fight song in the locker room for the first time in about a month,” said Davidson coach Tripp Merritt. “We're looking at the remaining schedule as a four-game season, and we got the first of four today.”
The Wildcats scored on their first three possessions and opened a 21-0 halftime lead. Alexander went 3-for-3 for 42 yards and found Aldrich underneath for a 26-yard touchdown after Davidson received the opening kickoff. Aldrich caught the ball in the middle of the field, cut right, got a block and ran into the end zone untouched to cap the 66-yard drive.
After the 'Cats got a three-and-out, the second score was set up by Williams' 39-yard punt return. Williams received the ball at his own 23-yard line, went to the right and cut back left where he was tackled by the punter, Ted Moore, at the Campbell 38.
A 19-yard pass from Alexander to Kirk Konert set up a 14-yard rushing touchdown by Mantuo and a 14-0 Davidson lead.
On the second play of the following Campbell possession, Easton picked off a Matt Vollono pass on the right sideline and returned it 33 yards down to the Camels' 10-yard line.
After a 5-yard delay of game penalty put the ball at the 15, Barnes rushed 13 yards down to the 2, and the senior punched it in two plays later for a 21-0 cushion with 5:29 left in the first quarter.
Midway through the third quarter, the Wildcats used an eight-play, 84-yard drive to distance themselves from the Camels and open a 28-0 lead. The 'Cats rushed for 53 yards on the drive, and Williams capped it with a 22-yard score.
After Easton picked off his second pass of the day at the Campbell 32, the Wildcats drove 68 yards in nine plays, capped by a Mantuo 3-yard TD run to make the margin 35-0. Michael Blanchard and Williams finished the scoring with rushing TDs in the fourth quarter.
It's the most points Davidson has scored since putting up 49 in 52-49 loss at San Diego last season. The 'Cats host the Toreros at home next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
Game Notes: Alexander went over the 8,500 passing yard mark for his career... Easton's interceptions are the fifth and sixth of his career and his first two this season… Williams' 39-yard punt return was the second longest of the season; he had a 40-yard return at Lenoir-Rhyne… Davidson scored on its first drive after receiving the opening kickoff for the second time this season… Kirk Konert needs one receiving yard to reach 1,000 for his career… Mantuo is the first individual to rush for over 100 yards this season... Blanchard's TD was the first of his career.
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