ASHLAND, Va. – Senior quarterback
Dante Casciola (Charlotte, N.C./Weddington) threw for three touchdowns and ran for another, and the Yellow Jacket defense returned a pair of interceptions for scores, as No. 24 Randolph-Macon posted a 49-16 ODAC victory over Bridgewater on Saturday afternoon for Homecoming.
The Basics:
Score:Â Randolph-Macon 49, Bridgewater 16
Venue:Â Day Field
Records:Â RMC 6-1, 4-0 ODAC; BC 5-2, 3-1 ODAC
How it Happened:
- The Yellow Jackets took the opening kickoff and drove 79 yards in 15 plays, taking more than nine minutes off the clock. Casciola scored from two yards out to give the home team a 7-0 lead.
- The Eagles picked up one first down on their first possession and were forced to punt. RMC needed only four plays to go 70 yards to the end zone. Casciola hit junior wide receiver Jason Moore (Craven County, N.C./Havelock) on a 32-yard pass to start the drive. Facing 3rd and 2 at the BC 30, Casciola hit junior tight end Jackson Currie (Hanover, Va./Hanover) with a short pass and Currie took it to the end zone to extend the lead to 14-0 with 24 seconds left in the first period.
- BC moved the ball to the RMC 36 in the second quarter. Sophomore safety Quentin Mankin (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) picked off a pass and returned it 69 yards for a touchdown as the advantage grew to 21-0 with 5:26 remaining in the second period.
- Following an Eagle punt, Casciola hit Moore with a 19-yard scoring toss to make it 28-0 with 1:30 left until intermission.
- Senior linebacker Daniel Eliasek (Midlothian, Va./Trinity) snagged an interception and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-0 with 1:09 remaining in the second quarter.
- BC connected on a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the half as the Yellow Jackets led 35-3 at the break.
- The Eagles scored a touchdown on their first possession of the second half to narrow the gap to 35-10.
- Casciola connected with senior tailback Kwesi Clarke (Reigelwood, N.C./North Brunswick) on a nine-yard TD pass as RMC went up 42-10 with five minutes left in the third period.
- BC added a second touchdown late in the third quarter to make it 42-16.
- Sophomore quarterback Detric Brown (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) had a 20-yard TD run midway through the fourth period to make the final 49-16.
By The Numbers:
- RMC has scored at least 49 points in each of the past three outings.
- BC was allowing just 16.3 points per game entering the contest.
- RMC had won nine of the past 10 meetings with BC and 15 of the past 18 encounters with the Eagles.
- The Yellow Jackets had 375 yards of total offense, with 165 on the ground and 210 through the air, their highest passing total of the season.
- RMC rushed 42 times for 165 yards. Junior running back Mitchell Johnson (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) paced the Yellow Jackets with 13 carries for 60 yards.
- Casciola completed 10 of 16 passes for 211 yards and three scores. Moore had three catches for 61 yards and one touchdown.
- The RMC defense held the Eagles to 18 yards rushing on 18 carries. It was the lowest total allowed in a game this season.
- Eliasek paced the Yellow Jackets with eight tackles. He had one tackle for loss and added a 32-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- The Yellow Jackets now have five defensive touchdowns, all interception returns for scores. RMC is among the nation's leaders with 15 interceptions on the season.
For The Record:
- RMC has won 22 consecutive ODAC contests, dating back to the 2021 season.
- Senior kicker Kyle Ihle (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek) made all seven PAT kicks to move into a tie for second place in ODAC history with 166 career PAT kicks. He trails former Yellow Jacket Chris Vidal, who had 172 during his collegiate career.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon will travel to Washington and Lee on Saturday, Nov. 2, for a 3 p.m. ODAC contest, with the winner taking sole possession of first place in the conference.
