Antwan Thorpe's two touchdown receptions helped lift first year head coach Bill Young and the Greensboro College football team to a 14-13 victory over cross-town rival Guilford on Saturday night. The victory evens the series at 8-8 and brings the Soup Bowl back to Greensboro after being handed over to Guilford in 2011.
Thorpe's first trip to the endzone came on a 72-yard slant from quarterback Ryan Throndset with 5:35 remaining in the third quarter. The score knotted the game at 7-7.
The second touchdown came with 5:49 left in the game and The Pride trailing 13-7. Throndset again found Thorpe on a crossing route, with the wide receiver outrunning the Quaker defenders en route to a 27-yard score.
Kicker Mark Bush added what turned out to be the decisive extra point to give Greensboro its first lead of the game.
Guilford would not go down without a fight, however, setting up one last desperation heave to the endzone before the clock ran out. The Pride held their collective breaths as the ball deflected off a defender before hitting the turf as the clock expired.
The Greensboro offense moved the ball effectively early in the game, driving into Quaker territory multiple times before being turned away unsuccessfully.
The Pride twice reached the Guilford 25-yard line in the first quarter before interceptions turned away the threats. Greensboro also missed a 33-yard first quarter field goal opportunity.
The second quarter saw a similar start, as The Pride took their first drive to the Quaker 29-yard line before failing on a fourth down conversion.
Guilford opened the scoring with 3:32 left in the first half on a 36-yard scoring connection from quarterback Matt Pawlowski to Kevin Tiller II.
After Thorpe and The Pride knotted the score at 7-7 in the third, the Quaker offense needed 1:26 to go back on top as Pawloski hit Nick Mearite from ten-yards out with 4:09 to go in the quarter. Thorpe recorded the only score of the final frame as Greensboro earned their first win since 2010.
Thorpe, who earned USA South Rookie of the Year honors in 2009 and was named to the USA South All-Conference Team in 2010 before transferring to Catawba, made his return known in this one.
The senior finished the night with six receptions for 155 yards and was recognized as the Soup Bowl Most Valuable Player for Greensboro College. Robert Smith was named the Soup Bowl Most Valuable Player for Guilford after posting ten tackles, two tackles for loss and an interception.
Eddie West paced the ground attack for The Pride with 107 yards on 21 carries. In the passing game, Throndset connected on 15 of his 28 attempts for 254 yards and two scores.
Travis Welch and Terry Charles led the defensive effort with seven tackles apiece. Welch added one tackle for loss and a sack while Charles chipped in with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
As a team, Greensboro outgained the Quakers 380-232. The Pride posted 118 yards rushing and 262 passing while limiting Guilford to 119 yards rushing and 145 yards passing.
Greensboro will look to stay perfect on September 8, traveling to Bridgewater for a 1 p.m. showdown. The Pride are scheduled to open their home slate against The Apprentice School on September 15.