Oct 28, 2023
ASHLAND, Va. – No. 9 Randolph-Macon scored touchdowns on five trips to the Red Zone, three on the ground by senior running back Nick Hale (Vinton, Va./William Byrd), in a 35-12 ODAC victory over Washington and Lee on Saturday afternoon.
The Basics:
Score: Randolph-Macon 35, Washington and Lee 12
Location/Venue: Ashland, Va./Day Field
Records: Randolph-Macon 8-0, 5-0 ODAC; WLU 6-2, 4-1 ODAC
How it Happened:
- The Generals took the opening kickoff and moved 75 yards in 10 plays to take a 6-0 lead four minutes into the contest. It was the first time the Yellow Jackets had trailed this season.
- RMC would drive 69 yards in nine plays later in the quarter, as Hale powered in from one yard out to put the Yellow Jackets up 7-6 with 1:24 left in the first period.
- On the first play of the second quarter, senior linebacker Jackson Deaver (Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford) stopped the Generals for a two-yard loss on a fourth-and one at the WLU44. Hale would cap the eight-play drive with a six-yard TD run as the lead grew to 14-6 with 11:32 remaining until halftime.
- WLU had a fourth-and-five at its own 43 when senior safety Cade Jones (Wilmington, N.C./Eugene Ashley) broke up a pass to give the Yellow Jackets the ball with 2:13 left. Senior quarterback Drew Campanale (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) hit senior wide receiver David Wallis (Cedar Point, N.C./Croatan) with a seven-yard touchdown pass just inside the far pylon with 22 seconds on the clock as RMC led 21-6 at intermission.
- The Yellow Jackets received the second-half kickoff and went 78 yards in eight plays, with Hale muscling in from one yard out as RMC went up 28-6 with 10:45 left in the third period.
- The Generals answered with a TD midway through the third quarter to make it 28-12.
- The RMC defense again stopped WLU on fourth down early in the final period. Senior tailback Kwesi Clarke (Reigelwood, N.C./North Brunswick) capped a 65-yard drive with a three-yard TD run around the right side to make it 35-12 midway through the fourth quarter.
- WLU took five minutes off the clock with a 19-play drive. The Generals had first and goal at the three but were kept out of the end zone on four tries. The Yellow Jackets took over with 2:19 left, picked up one first down and ran out the clock to preserve the victory.
By The Numbers:
- The RMC defense held WLU to 20 points below its season average and nearly 100 rushing yards under its season average.
- The Generals converted 67% of their fourth down plays, but only converted two of seven vs. RMC.
- The Yellow Jackets had 355 yards of total offense, with 215 through the air and 140 on the ground.
- Hale carried 18 times for 76 yards and three touchdowns. Campanale rushed 13 times for 50 yards.
- Campanale completed 15 of 23 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown. Senior Zach Bowman (Midlothian, Va./Manchester) had five catches for 59 yards. Wallis caught five passes for 41 yards and a score. Senior wide receiver JoJo Marinella (Franklin, Mass./Xaverian Brothers) has three receptions for 88 yards.
- RMC held the ball for 30:12. RMC entered the game third in the nation in time of possession at 35:58.
- Deaver paced the defense with nine tackles, including two tackles for loss. Jones and sophomore tackle Brady Kinloch (Leesburg, Va./Tuscarora) both had eight stops.
For The Record:
- The Yellow Jackets have scored at least 30 points in each of their past 26 games, the longest stretch in program history.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will travel to Ferrum on Saturday, Nov. 4, for a 2 p.m. ODAC contest.