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Comeback Attempts Falls Short on Homecoming

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BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Bridgewater College football team cut a three-score second half deficit to two points, but couldn't make it all the way back in a 42-33 Homecoming loss to Emory & Henry.

Tight end Keith Jennings' 28-yard TD catch with 5:42 remaining gave the Eagles the chance to tie on a two-point conversion, but a quick slant pass fell incomplete.

Jennings totaled two touchdowns and 71 yards on seven catches, while Rayvon Johnson caught eight balls for 111 yards and a score. Jay Scrogginscompleted 23-of-41 passes for 242 yards, three TDs and two interceptions in his return from injury.

Trailing 35-17, Scroggins found his other tight end Zane Grudzinski down to the six yard line. Jennings finished the drive off with his first touchdown of the day.

A sack by Cory Cline ended the next drive and Alex Galloway's end-around down to the nine yard line highlighted a field goal drive that cut the E&H lead to eight.

The Wasps could have kneeled to end the game and gambled a bit on a touchdown run that again pushed the lead to eight, but Matt Seals drilled the extra point to make it 42-33 and clinch the victory.

Bridgewater had a nice drive to open the game for the second straight week, going 61 yards in 14 plays and 6:51 of clock time. The Eagles again faced 3rd-and-goal from the 1 like last game, but were not denied again as Scroggins rolled out and hit fullback Warner Hunter IV.

Fourth down conversions were big in the first half as they played a key role on the next three offensive scoring drives. After a 16-yard sack by Davon Keith (14 tackles, 3.0 sacks, 6.0 TFLs, 4 QB hurries) gave E&H a short field, Kevin Saxton found A.J. Hampton on a 24-yard slant pass touchdown on a 4th-and-5 play to tie the game at 7-all.

Bridgewater converted a fourth-and-1 play en route to Brendon Maturey's 13-yard touchdown pass to Johnson that tied the game at 14-14. Emory & Henry did the same in Eagle territory on the next drive, leading to a nine-yard Sam Wagner scoring rush.

In between, the Wasps' defense had scored to break the 7-7 deadlock. Keith drilled Scroggins on a pass attempt as part of the sophomore defensive end's monster performance, and the ball was picked off and taken back 35 yards by Josh Fleenor.

Emory & Henry doubled their halftime lead as backup quarterback Dominic Dunnaville led a two-minute drive, hitting a wide open Derrick Yates for a 31-yard score and a 28-14 advantage. The Eagles had one play to set up a field goal attempt and Johnson picked up 31 yards, but the long kick attempt hit the left upright as time expired.

A short punt early in the third quarter set up an Anthony Rossi field goal that cut the deficit to 28-17. A Tyler Miller tackle for loss ended the next drive, but the Wasps would make it a three-score game again late in the third quarter as Kendrick Kube broke a 28-yard run.

Bridgewater falls to 2-5, 1-3 ODAC and will travel down to Guilford next weekend. Emory & Henry improves to 3-4, 2-2.

Dec. 15: All times Eastern
Final
Cortland 38, at North Central (Ill.) 37
@ Salem, Virginia
Video Box Score Recap Photos
Dec. 9: All times Eastern
Final
North Central (Ill.) 34, at Wartburg 27
Box Score Recap
Final
Cortland 49, at Randolph-Macon 14
Box Score Recap Recap Recap Photos
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