Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre football shook off a sluggish first half to earn a come-from-behind 28-18 victory in the 2018 season opener against Hanover Saturday evening inside Farris Stadium.
Trailing 12-0 late in the third quarter, the Colonels' offense finally found its rhythm to the tune of 28 points over the next 16-plus minutes of game time, capped by a 56-yard touchdown run from Trevor Carnell.
Despite little rest in the first half, the Centre defense answered the bell with timely stops of an often-potent Hanover offense.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre's offense sputtered throughout much of the opening two quarters, failing to reach the redzone while accumulating few first downs.
- Hanover struck first as Noah Wezensky hit Jackson Daugherty for a 16-yard score midway through the first quarter, although the ensuing PAT was missed.
- After recovering a Centre fumble, the Panthers doubled their lead on Wezensky's second TD pass of the night near the seven-minute mark of the third quarter. The PAT was blocked by Cody Estep.
- Centre finally hit pay dirt with a seven-play, 85-yard drive fueled by the connection between quarterback Tanner Young and wideout Jaylon Hibbs. The former eventually hit the latter for a 13-yard score as the Colonels pulled within 12-7.
- Hibbs impressed on Centre's next drive with consecutive marquee catches, the second of which set up Centre near the goalline. Colin Burnam punched it in to give Centre its first lead, 14-12.
- The Panthers never rolled over, using nine plays to go 77 yards and retake the lead on Shawn Coane's rushing score halfway through the fourth.
- Centre was forced to punt on its next possession, giving Hanover the ball with an 18-14 lead at roughly seven minutes on the clock.
- Luc Gendreau came up with the key takeaway for the Colonels, picking off a Wezensky pass on a second down throw.
- The interception led to Young finding Jordan Gunter on a game-sealing 34-yard touchdown.
- Centre's defense then came up with a massive three-and-out, and Carnell all but ended the affair with his 56-yard scamper.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Hanover outgained Centre 369 to 361, although it needed 16 more plays to do so. The two sides were nearly even in rushing (120 to 122) and passing yards (249 to 239).
- Centre stopped Hanover on all three of its fourth down conversion attempts.
- The Colonel defense totaled five sacks for 37 yards, while Young suffered no sacks.
- Hibbs hauled in a team-high seven catches for 102 yards and a TD, while Gunter had two grabs for 83 yards and a score.
- Andrew Busby and Alex Fontaine led Centre with nine tackles each, followed by Cal Lewellyn'seight. Busby also had a half sack and two QB hurries, and Lewellyn finished with two pass breakups.
- Jake Holloway punted seven times, with a long of 59 yards and one inside Hanover's 20-yard line. Kicker Ben Logsdon converted all four PAT tries.
UP NEXT
Centre travels to face Maryville (Tenn.) in its first road contest of the season next Saturday. The Scots lost to Berry earlier this evening, 38-3.