Sep 30, 2023
GREENSBORO, N.C. – No. 11 Randolph-Macon reached 70 points for the first time in 38 seasons in a 70-14 victory at Guilford on Saturday afternoon in the ODAC opener for both teams.
The Basics:
Score: Randolph-Macon 70, Guilford 14
Location/Venue: Greensboro, N.C./Appenzeller Field at Armfield Athletic Center
Records: Randolph-Macon 4-0, 1-0 ODAC; GC 2-2, 0-1 ODAC
How it Happened:
- On the first play from scrimmage, junior linebacker Jackson Deaver (Fayetteville, N.C./Terry Sanford) recovered a fumble on the GC18. Senior running back Nick Hale (Vinton, Va./William Byrd) carried four times, the final for seven yards to the end zone, as the Yellow Jackets went up 7-0 two minutes into the contest.
- On the second play of Quakers' next drive, senior linebacker Owen Arruza (Ashland, Va./Patrick Henry) fell on a fumble on the GC18. Hale powered in from two yards out to make it 14-0 with 10:22 remaining in the first period.
- Deaver picked off a pass before senior quarterback Drew Campanale (Shrewsbury, Mass./Shrewsbury) connected with senior wide receiver David Wallis (Cedar Point, N.C./Croatan) on a 52-yard scoring pass to push the lead to 21-0 with 9:34 left in the first quarter.
- Campanale found senior tight end Brandon Woolridge (Fredericksburg, Va./James Monroe) in the end zone from six yards out as the advantage grew to 28-0 with 13:37 remaining in the second period.
- Arruza recovered a second fumble and sophomore running back Mitchell Johnson (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) scored from two yards out as the Yellow Jackets went up 35-0 with 10:11 left in the second quarter.
- After the Quakers turned an interception into a touchdown, Wallis pulled in a 16-yard TD pass from Campanale with eight seconds remaining as RMC took a 42-7 lead at intermission.
- The Yellow Jackets drove 95 yards on their first possession of the second half, capped by an eight-yard TD run by senior tailback Kwesi Clarke (Reigelwood, N.C./North Brunswick) to make it 49-7 with 11:00 left in the third period.
- Following a GC punt, RMC went 55 yards in 11 plays, with Johnson scoring from one yard out to make it 56-7 with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
- Sophomore running back Cameron Chatmon (Willow Spring, N.C./Green Level) reached the end zone from seven yards out as the Yellow Jackets took a 63-7 lead with 10 minutes left in the contest.
- Following a Quaker interception for a touchdown, Chatmon scored on a one-yard run with 56 seconds left to make the final 70-14.
By The Numbers:
- The last time RMC scored 70 points in a game was on Nov. 2, 1985, with a 73-14 victory at Maryville.
- The Yellow Jackets held the Quakers to minus-2 rushing yards. It was the third straight game that RMC held an opponent under 10 yards rushing. The Yellow Jackets entered the game as the national leader in rush defense at 14.7 yards per game and lowered that season average to 10.5 yards per contest.
- RMC gained 269 yards on the ground. Chatmon rushed 11 times for 61 yards and two scores. Johnson had 11 carries for 48 yards and two TDs. Hale ran 12 times for 47 yards and reached the end zone twice.
- Campanale completed 11 of 18 passes for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Wallis had six catches for 152 yards and a pair of scores.
- RMC held the ball for 39:58, including 24:13 in the second half compared to 5:47 for GC.
- The Yellow Jackets scored touchdowns on all nine trips to the Red Zone.
- RMC converted on 12 of 14 third-down plays. The Yellow Jackets entered the game first in the ODAC and nine in the nation in third down conversion at .567.
For The Record:
- RMC has reached 50 points in each of its first four games of the season for the first time in program history. It marks the first time in program history that the Yellow Jackets have scored 50 points in four consecutive games.
- The Yellow Jackets have scored at least 30 points in each of their past 22 games, the longest stretch in program history.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will return to Day Field on Saturday, Oct. 7 for a 1 p.m. ODAC contest against Averett. It will be Family Weekend as well as Hall of Fame Day.