Game Leaders
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Time of Poss.
SALEM, Va. – Matt Pawlowski threw for 394 yards and four touchdowns in Guilford College's 35-27 football win over Southern Virginia University at Salem Stadium Saturday night.
The nonconference victory at the site of the 2014 NCAA Division III Football Championship game improves the Quakers' record to 3-0 for the first time since 2007.
Pawlowski threw first-half touchdowns of 34 and 26 yards junior Adam Smith, which staked the Quakers to a 21-7 halftime lead. Smith finished with a game-high seven receptions for 143 yards and his two scores give him seven touchdown catches through three games.
The Quakers' defense came up with three interceptions, two by JerMario Gooch. Guilford also made a key goal-line stand after Southern Virginia had four tries at the end zone from inside the Quakers' five-yard line.
The Knights mounted an 11-play, 94-yard drive midway through the third quarter, which ended in an 11-yard scoring pass from Mitch Stevenson to Michael Carroll. The Knights took advantage of five of the 17 penalties called against the Quakers in the drive. Kieren Phelps' point-after-attempt was blocked by Pat Charvat at the score was 21-13.
The teams traded touchdowns on the next three possessions with a Pawlowski scoring pass to Austen Thompson and a one-yard Josh Schow run sandwiched around a one-yard scoring jaunt by the Knights' Jerry Washington.
Guilford had a 35-20 edge, before Southern Virginia mounted one more scoring drive, capped by Stevenson's two-yard touchdown toss to Kyler Harris.
While the Knights had all three timeouts remaining as Guilford took over with 3:28 to play, the Quakers picked up three first downs and ran out the clock.
Pawlowski completed 28-of-38 passes for 394 yards and four scores, which gives him 14 touchdown passes after three games. Thompson made a game- and career-high eight grabs for 91 yards and a touchdown. C.J. Hobbs finished with six receptions for 89 yards and a score.
Hunter Hoots paced the Quakers' defense with 10 tackles, including a sack and two behind the line. Satiir Stevenson picked off his second pass of the year and the 12th of his career, which ranks fourth in school history.
Southern Virginia's Washington had 25 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Stevenson added 19 rushing yards and completed 14-of-27 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. Michael Carroll was the Knights' top pass catcher with five grabs for 117 yards and a touchdown.
After its scheduled bye week, Guilford hosts Washington and Lee University Oct. 4 at 1:00 p.m. in both teams' Old Dominion Athletic Conference opener.