Bishops Down Football

WINCHESTER. Va. - Visiting N.C. Wesleyan ruined Shenandoah University's homecoming with a 47-28 USA South Conference football victory Saturday night before 1536 Sprint Field at Shentel Stadium fans.

The Bishops (4-3, 3-1 USA South) jumped out to a 19-0 halftime lead but needed a Stedman Mathis 58-yard TD at the 9:59 mark of third as the Hornets (2-5, 1-4 USA South) made a game of it with a pair of touchdowns to start the half.

Big plays marked the contest - in addition to Mathis' 58-yard scamper, Wesleyan opened the game with a 78-yard bomb from backup quarterback Jarrett Colfield to wideout Orlando Webb on a halfback option pass.

Shenandoah also had a touchdown that started from enemy territory - sophomore BJ Smoot brought the Hornets to within five when he took a Vern Lunsford middle screen and busted a 64-yard TD catch and run.

For Smoot, it is the second straight week he has hauled in a 60-yard+ TD reception.

Unfortunately for the homecoming night crowd, Mathis erased all of the momentum gained by the hosts when he took the first down play around right end and outraced a host of SU defenders into the endzone.

The Bishops further expanded the advantage on the first play of the fourth quarter on a Tyreck McFadden 1-yard rush; McFadden's plunge capped a seven-play, 64-yard drive that consumed 3:22 of game time.

This TD was the first of five in the final stanza as NCWC scored on three of four possession and SU two of four.

Mathis led the visitors to 522 yards in total offense with 158 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 13 carries while quarterback Bo Jordan was 16 for 29 for 215 yards and three TD's.

Smoot became the first man in school history to have a 100-yard rushing game and a 100-yard receiving performance in a career with five catches for 115 yards. Shenandoah had 198 of its 354 yards in total offense through the air.

Box Score

Shenandoah completes this two-game homestand next Saturday night against Averett. Game time is 7 p.m.