SEWANEE, Tenn. (Sept. 5, 2015) – In a game of big plays and momentum swings, the Sewanee football team opened its 121st season with a 31-21 victory over visiting Kenyon, Saturday, at historic Hardee-McGee at Harris Stadium.
It was the first meeting between the two schools since 1966. Sewanee remains perfect over the Lords with a head-to-head record of 7-0.
After Sewanee's defense opened the game by forcing a Kenyon three-and-out, the Tigers' offense rolled on its first possession.
Sewanee marched 56-yards on 10 plays to score its opening touchdown. On third and six from the Kenyon 15, senior quarterback Cody Daniel found sophomore receiver Stephen Hearn on the sideline. Hearn then broke a tackle and raced into the end zone for the first score.
Later in the first quarter, it was again Daniel making plays that set up a one-yard touchdown run by the Tiger signal caller. With 1:37 left in the first, Daniel found freshman Allan Parrott on a 46-yard pass play to open the drive. The next play Daniel's quarterback sneak and an extra point by Callum Wishart pushed the Tigers' lead to 14-0.
Sewanee added to its lead midway through the second quarter when running back Mikey Plancher took a pitch off an option play and raced 28 yards into the end zone.
After making only one first down on its first six possessions, Kenyon finally got its offense moving late in the half.
With 1:29 remaining, quarterback Jake Bates found Brian Hunca behind the Tiger defense for a 67-yard touchdown pass. That play was set up after the Lords converted a four-and-one play at their own 30-yard line.
With momentum on Kenyon's side to start the second half, the Lords kept making big plays in the third quarter.
Running back Blake Calcei broke two tackles and raced 64 yards for Kenyon's second touchdown to make the score, 21-14.
On the next Kenyon possession, the Lords marched 83 yards in six plays to tie the game at 21-21. The big play on the drive was a 57-yard rush by Casey Beaudoin that set up a 14-yard touchdown pass from Bates to Hunca.
With the game now tied, Sewanee responded back. The Tigers answered on their next drive by grinding out 89 yards on 17 plays that took 7:51 off the clock. Facing a third and seven from the Kenyon 12, reserve quarterback Kevin Bolak tossed a perfect lob pass from 12 yards out to Hearn in the back of the end zone.
The Tigers' defense then came up big. Sewanee stopped Kenyon on two, fourth down plays on the Lords' next pair of possessions to get the ball back with 4:49 left.
Facing its own fourth and 11 from the Kenyon 36, Sewanee lined up to punt. However, punter Ben Cleveland took a high snap and raced 13 yards for a Tiger first down. Four plays later Wishart connected on a 40-yard field goal to push the score to 10, 31-21.
Kenyon would have one final drive with 1:07 remaining however, multiple incomplete passes and a sack by Lonnie Scott stopped any chance of a comeback.
Overall, both offenses were even with Sewanee gaining 356 yards and the Lords finishing with 345.
Daniel led Sewanee through the air going 6-of-9 for 103 yards and a score. The majority of those yards went to Hearn, who caught five passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns.
Bolak also played well with 18 carries for a career-high 77 yards.
On defense, linebacker Emmanuel Bell finished with eight tackles while Tony Dykes pitched in seven stops.
Another big key for the Tigers was Sewanee's ability to flip the field. Cleveland punted six times for an average kick of 47.2 yards.
Calcei led Kenyon with 105 rushing yards and one TD. Hunca was also effective with 131 receiving yards and two scores.
Jacob Lapoint led Kenyon defensively with a game-high 10 tackles, including 2.5 for losses.
Sewanee returns to action next Saturday when the Tigers faceoff against long-time rival Washington & Lee in Lexington, Va. Kickoff at W&L is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (EDT).
For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com. You can also check the Tigers out on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Flickr.