SEWANEE, Tenn. (Nov. 8, 2014) – Career-high rushing totals by Devante Jones and Barrett Goodson, helped the Sewanee football team rush past Berry for a 31-26 Homecoming win, Saturday, at historic Hardee-McGee Field at Harris Stadium.
Both running backs were outstanding. Jones finished with a career-high 194 yards on 24 carries and two touchdowns. Like Jones, Goodson finished with a career-high total. The senior from South Carolina added 81 yards on 11 attempts for a 7.4 yards per carry average.
As a team, Sewanee rushed for a season-high 378 yards. Additionally, the victory snapped Sewanee's six-game losing streak. The Tigers are now 2-0 against the Vikings all-time.
Sewanee started out strong. After recovering a fumble on Berry's opening drive, the Tigers' offense went to work. Over five plays, Sewanee drove 42 yards which was capped off by an 11-yard touchdown run by Jones.
Berry did answer back with its first score on the Vikings' next possession. Mainly through the air, Berry marched 71 yards in only eight plays for the score. Facing a fourth-and-19 from the Sewanee 33, quarterback Dale Jackson scrambled and found receiver Chris Lilly 33 yards down field for the touchdown.
The good news for Sewanee was that the Tigers answered right back. After eight straight running plays, quarterback Cody Daniel tossed an 11-yard touchdown pass to Steven Hearn, who made an outstanding cutback to get into the endzone.
Sewanee would then push its lead to 21-7 when Jones capped off a 13-play, 80-yard drive that took 7:29 off the clock midway through the second quarter.
After holding Berry to a three-and-out, Sewanee continued to roll. A 33-yard run by Jones, and a personal foul by the Vikings, gave the Tigers the ball at the eight-yard line. Fullback Andy Mootsthen scored with 6:57 left in the first half.
Unfortunately, Berry responded with a field goal and another touchdown pass from Jackson to Lilly to close out the second quarter. Those scores cut the Viking deficit to 11, 28-17, at halftime.
After both offenses play well the opening 30 minutes, both defenses made adjustments at halftime.
Berry would score the only points in the third quarter when kicker Mike Blanchard made a 22-yard field goal.
The score would remain 28-20 until a pair of big plays pulled Berry to within two with 9:05 to left. After a 33-yard pass play by Jackson, the Berry quarterback found Lilly again for a 30-yard strike. On the ensuing two-point conversion, Sewanee stopped a slant route to hold its two-point lead.
Berry would eventually get the ball back with 6:42 to play, however on the first play of the drive, Sewanee recovered a fumble at the Berry 28.
The Tigers then ran 4:44 off the clock and added their final points when Callum Wishart made a 28-yard field goal.
The Vikings would try to score one more time, however senior linebacker J.P. McDonnell intercepted Jones at the Sewanee 46.
From there, Sewanee would run out the clock with rushes by Jones and Goodson.
In a contrast of offensive styles, Berry countered Sewanee's rushing attack with 310 passing yards from Jackson. Lilly also play well with a game-high 187 yards receiving and three touchdowns.
Defensively Berry was led by Jackson Putnam and Preston Stewart, who each finished with a game-high 15 tackles.
Sewanee's defense was led by De'Nard Ford and Alex Kops, who both added five tackles.
The Tigers will close out their season next Saturday against Hendrix. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com. You can also check the Tigers out on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr.