Sep 14, 2024
ASHLAND, Va. – Senior quarterback Dante Casciola (Charlotte, N.C./Weddington) hit junior tight end Landon Farriss (New Hanover, N.C./New Hanover) in the end zone on a fourth-and-two play from the HC17 in the first overtime period and sophomore safety Quentin Mankin (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) recovered a fumble on Hobart's final play as No. 8 Randolph-Macon pulled out a 14-7 victory in its home opener.
The Basics:
Score: Randolph-Macon 14, Hobart 7
Venue: Day Field
Records: Randolph-Macon 2-0, HC 1-1
How it Happened:
- Each team picked up a pair of first downs in the first quarter, but neither team could score. The Statesmen had the ball near midfield late in the first period with junior linebacker Daniel Eliasek (Midlothian, Va./Trinity) picked off a pass at the RMC 39.
- The Yellow Jackets muffed a punt early in the second quarter and Hobart turned it into a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead with 11:23 remaining until halftime.
- RMC then put together a 75-yard scoring drive. The Yellow Jackets faced 4th and 9 at the HC31 when Casciola connected with junior Jason Moore (Craven County, N.C./Havelock) on a TD pass to level the score at 7-7 midway through the second period.
- Hobart then ran 14 plays and took nearly seven minutes off the clock, driving to the RMC21. On 4th and 1, junior Jeffrey Acheampong (Montgomery, Md./Sherwood) tackled the quarterback for a one-yard loss to stop the drive and keep the score level at 7-7 at halftime.
- The RMC defense held the Statesmen to one first down on their first possession of the third period. The Yellow Jackets had an 18-play drive that took nearly 10 minutes but were stopped on 4th and 1 at the HC 1. The score would remain tied heading to the final period.
- The Yellow Jackets were forced to punt three times in the fourth quarter. Hobart's final drive started at its own 36 with 1:01 remaining. The Statesmen moved to the RMC 17, but had a 34-yard field goal go wide left as the clock expired in regulation.
- Hobart won the overtime coin toss and elected to play defense first. Senior Kwesi Clarke (Reigelwood, N.C./North Brunswick) picked up seven and two yards on successive plays but was thrown for a one-yard loss on third down. Facing 4th and 2 at the HC 17, Farris made a tumbling catch in the end zone as RMC took its first lead at 14-7.
- The Statesmen picked up nine yards on their first two plays. The tailback took a direct snap on third down and was stopped up the middle for no gain by Acheampong and senior Tony Skinner (Spotsylvania, Va./Riverbend). On 4th and 1, the Hobart quarterback appeared to pick up the first down but fumbled. The loose ball was recovered by Mankin to seal the victory.
By The Numbers:
- For the second straight week, RMC was held to seven points in the first half.
- Casciola completed 16 of 21 passes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.
- Farris had six catches for 47 yards and one score.
- Eliasek paced the defense with 13 tackles, including 11 solo stops. He also had a pair of tackles for loss.
- Senior Jackson Deaver (Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford) recorded eight tackles.
For The Record:
- This was the first meeting between RMC and Hobart.
- The Yellow Jackets have won 28 straight regular season games, which ranks in the top four in the nation at all levels.
- RMC has won 12 consecutive non-conference regular season contests.
- The last time the Yellow Jackets scored 14 or fewer points and still won was on April 3, 2021, in a 13-10 overtime victory at home over Emory & Henry in the ODAC Championship Game.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will host No. 21 Berry on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 12:30 p.m.