/seasons/2017/contrib/20170916sx450s

Bison score first but drop season opener to Shenandoah

More news about: Gallaudet

WINCHESTER, Va. - A timely turnover and a promising first offensive drive, that ended in a touchdown, got the Gallaudet University football season off on the right foot. Unfortunately, the euphoric excitement from scoring first against Shenandoah University here Saturday night at Shentel Stadium was quickly erased. The Hornets picked apart the Bison defense and ran away with a 40-14 victory in the season opener.

Shenandoah (1-0) was poised to strike first but running back Mario Wisdom (11 carries, 71 yards) fumbled at the two-yard line and the ball fumbled out of the end zone for a touchback.

Gallaudet (0-1) went to work and put together a methodical 10-play drive that covered 80 yards and ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Timel Benton (Columbia, S.C.) to freshman wide receiver Jordan Martin (Kansas City, Kan.). The GU drive chewed up five minutes and 21 seconds.

A light mist turned into a steady rain as night fell in the northern Shenandoah Valley and as conditions deteriorated things got sloppy for the Bison offense. GU turned the ball over on two consecutive drives in the first half which led to 14 points for the Hornets. SU scored 27 unanswered points as it took a 20-point lead into halftime.

Shenandoah outscored Gallaudet 13-7 in the second half as it outgained the Bison 210-106. The Hornets finished with 556 yards of offense (437 passing yards) while the Bison finished with 324 yards of offense (250 rushing yards on 61 carries).

Freshman strong safety Jack Gray (Atherton, Calif.) made a third quarter interception for the Bison with the Hornets trying to get into the red zone. The interception provided a spark as Gallaudet marched 81 yards on 11 plays and scored its second touchdown on a 18-yard run by senior Cody Paulay-Simmons (Kailua-Kona, Hawaii). The touchdown closed the gap to a three-score game, 33-14.

Read entire game story here: http://www.gallaudetathletics.com/sports/fball/2017-18/releases/recap_shenandoah

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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