HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. -- Senior quarterback Andrew Puccinelli (Glen Allen) passed for a game-high 333 yards and four touchdowns, including a career-high 181 yards receiving and two touchdowns to senior wide receiver Braeden Bowling (Cary, NC), but Hampden-Sydney College dropped a heartbreaking 39-38 Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) football decision at home to Bridgewater College on Saturday afternoon on Fulton Field at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. The host Tigers (2-2, 0-1 ODAC) led 21-14 after one quarter and were ahead 21-17 at halftime, but the visiting Eagles (3-1, 1-0 ODAC) tied it at 31-31 after three quarters, before BC's Kennedy Fauntleroy scored on a one-yard touchdown run—his fourth touchdown of the contest—with just 23-seconds remaining and Malcolm Anderson converted a two-point rush attempt for the last-minute road win.
BC took an early 7-0 advantage at 9:07 of the first quarter when Fauntleroy scored on a four-yard touchdown run, and Jackson Hendren added the first of his four PAT kicks.
H-SC answered back quickly when Puccinelli connected with Bowling on the first play from scrimmage following the kickoff for a 70-yard touchdown pass at 8:50, and sophomore placekicker Elijah Swett (Matthews, NC) added the first of his five PAT kicks to tie it at 7-7. It was a flea flicker play with senior running back Melik Frost (Hardeeville, SC) taking a handoff before tossing the ball back to Puccinelli who found Bowling in stride down the middle of the field for the TD.
The Tigers' defense forced a turnover when sophomore safety Jaylan Long (Martinsville) made an interception at the BC 27 on the second play after the kickoff with a quarterback hurry credited to junior defensive end Brendan Wallace (Virginia Beach). Following a nine-yard run by Frost, Puccinelli and Bowling once-again connected—this time for an 18-yard touchdown pass at 7:22—the PAT by Swett made it 14-7.
The Eagles responded with a 65-yard touchdown run by Fauntleroy at 6:30, and Hendren's PAT tied it at 14-14.
H-SC wasn't done yet in the opening quarter, taking the next possession 73 yards on just six plays, as Frost scored on a 12-yard touchdown run at 4:12. Swett added the PAT for a 21-14 advantage as the drive included a 51-yard pass play from Puccinelli to Bowling along with an 11-yard completion from Puccinelli to junior wide receiver Austin Fernandez (Warrenton).
The only points of the second quarter belonged to the visitors as Hendren made a 46-yard field goal with just 17-seconds left in the half to provide for a 21-17 margin at halftime. The Garnet & Grey missed a 42-yard field goal attempt at 3:52 of the second quarter.
BC added a 40-yard touchdown run by Fauntleroy at 6:12 of the third quarter to take a 24-21 lead.
The Tigers, however, answered right back with a 24-yard field goal by Swett at 5:03 to tie it at 24-24, following a 36-yard completion from Puccinelli to—who else—Bowling to get into position for the points. It followed an unsuccessful onside kick attempt by the Eagles after their go-ahead touchdown.
Neither team was done yet in the third quarter as the H-SC defense created another turnover when senior linebacker Dorian Green (Martinsville) forced a fumble that was recovered by senior defensive tackle Braxton Mergenthal (Efland, NC) at the BC 28. Puccinelli then connected with Fernandez on a 12-yard touchdown pass at 2:45, and Swett added the PAT for a 31-24 advantage.
The Eagles made it a 31-31 contest going into the final quarter when Anderson connected with Montez Green on a 48-yard touchdown pass with 49-seconds left in the third quarter—Hendren adding the PAT.
H-SC didn't waste any time in the fourth quarter as Puccinelli tossed a short pass out in the flat to senior wide receiver Jamahdia Whitby (Williamsburg) who sprinted untouched down the left sideline for a 33-yard touchdown reception at 13:39. Swett's PAT made it a 38-31 advantage for the hosts. A two-yard run by Frost on fourth-and-two kept the drive alive for the go-ahead score capping a five-play, 43-yard possession.
The Tigers' defense forced a three-and-out on the next BC possession, and the Garnet & Grey drove to midfield before pooch punting to the Eagles' 12-yard line with 6:25 left to play. Unfortunately, the visitors drove 88 yards on 13 plays with Fauntleroy scoring on his one-yard touchdown run with just 23-seconds on the clock. Following timeouts called by each team, Anderson was able to break the plane of the goal-line for the decisive two-point conversion attempt and provide for the final one-point margin.
Puccinelli passed for his game-high 333 yards (24-37-0) and four touchdowns—tying his career-high—with no interceptions. Frost rushed for 55 yards on 18 attempts and one touchdown. Bowling had his career-high 181 yards receiving on five receptions and two touchdowns—tying his career-high, as well. Fernandez had six receptions for 62 yards and one touchdown, Whitby had three receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown, and sophomore wide receiver Mason Cunningham (Arlington) finished with nine receptions for 58 yards.
Senior All-American safety Will Pickren (Mount Pleasant, SC) finished with a game-high 17 tackles to lead the Tigers on defense. Green added 11 tackles and one forced fumble, junior linebacker Jackson Lott (Norfolk) had nine tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss and sacks, while senior safety James-Ryan Salvi (Troutville) and freshman linebacker Harrison Wood (Richmond) each had eight tackles. Senior defensive tackle Kevin Gholson (Montpelier) added five tackles, including 0.5 tackles for loss and sacks.
Fauntleroy had a game-high 246 yards rushing on 32 attempts and four touchdowns. Anderson added 106 yards rushing on 18 attempts, while adding 148 yards passing (12-17-1) and one touchdown with one interception. Green had two receptions for 61 yards and one touchdown. TJ Lowery finished with 11 tackles for the Eagles, including one tackle for loss and sack.
H-SC remains at home next weekend against visiting Ferrum College on Saturday, October 7, at 1 p.m. at Everett Stadium. It will be Family Weekend on the Hill as the Tigers play at home for the fourth time in the first five games this season.
Hampden-Sydney Drops Heartbreaker To Bridgewater 39-38
/seasons/2023/boxscores/20230930_r5aa.xml
2023
Bridgewater
39
Hampden-Sydney
38
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgewater (3-1) | 14 | 3 | 14 | 8 | 39 |
| Hampden-Sydney (2-2) | 21 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 38 |
Sep 30, 2023