DANVILLE, Va. – Randolph-Macon Football forced three turnovers and got back on track with a convincing road victory at Averett.
The Basics
Score: Randolph-Macon 42, Averett 7
Venue: Danville, Va. / Averett University / Daly Field
Records: Randolph-Macon (4-2, 2-1 ODAC); Averett (2-4, 0-3 ODAC)
How it Happened
- Randolph-Macon got the ball to begin the game, ran three plays and on third down Jake Mulhern (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) was picked off by Jahlil Bryant at the 50 yard line. The Yellow Jacket defense stood tough, keeping Averett to a three and out and forced a punt with 12:01 left in the opening quarter.
- The Lemon and Black got the ball back at their own three yard line, driving 97 yards down the field for a touchdown. Randolph-Macon ran 17 plays, taking 10 minutes off the clock and Mitchell Johnson (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) capped off the drive with a four yard rushing touchdown. RMC took the lead at 7-0 with 2:00 left in the quarter.
- Randolph-Macon used the long scoring drive and tough defense to take the early 7-0 lead into the second quarter.
- In the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets forced a Cougar punt and drove down the field for their second touchdown of the game. Detric Brown (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) capped off a five play, 52 yard drive and doubled the lead to 14-0 with 10:31 left in the half.
- Averett was backed up in its own 22 yard line on a third and short on the ensuing drive. RMC brought pressure and Angelo Toure (Bowling Green, Va./Caroline) stripped Cole Perry for a fumble. The Yellow Jackets jumped on the live ball, as Joshua Williams (Roanoke, Va./Patrick Henry) came up with the ball.
- Randolph-Macon only needed three plays, as Brown ran in from nine yards out and scored his second touchdown of the game. The Lemon and Black improved their lead to 21-0 with 7:36 left in the half.
- RMC completed a seven play, 61 yard drive to score on a Quinten Jones (Roanoke, Va./Lord Botetourt) two-yard rushing touchdown. The Yellow Jackets ran their lead to 28-0 with 1:56 left in the half.
- Averett had a chance to score to end the half and tried a double pass play to potentially score. Randolph-Macon held up defensively and took a 28-0 lead into halftime.
- In the third quarter, the Cougars started a nice drive down the field to get into RMC territory. Tyrek Samuel was stripped by Khamari Veney (King William, Va./Benedictine) and Matthew MacNichol (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids) recovered and jumped on the live ball. The fumble recovery gave the Yellow Jackets the ball back on their own 25 yard line with 10:28 on the clock.
- Randolph-Macon took advantage, driving the ball 62 yards down the field for a touchdown. Mulhern connected with Malakiah Moore (Richmond, Va./Varina) for a nine yard touchdown pass. RMC used the turnover to cash in for more points and increase its lead to 35-0 with 4:58 left in the third quarter.
- The Yellow Jackets had the ball at the end of quarter, continuing an eight play drive into the final 15 minutes and leading 35-0.
- In the first minute of the final quarter, RMC extended its lead to 42-0 on Brown's third rushing touchdown of the day.
- The Cougars once again had a nice drive going into Yellow Jacket territory. Perry completed a pass to Jason Moran and RMC forced the third fumble of the game. Owen Brooks (Chesterfield, Va./Monacan) came out of the group of players with the ball, giving Randolph-Macon the ball with 9:16 left in the game.
- Averett would finally put points on the board in the final three minutes of the game, as Brandon Saunders ran in from four yards out for a touchdown. The Yellow Jackets still held a 42-7 lead with 2:49 left in the game.
- On the ensuing kickoff, Jaedyn McAdoo (Williamsburg, Va./Warhill) received the ball and turned on the jets, dashing 81 yards down the field and Kori Moates saved a touchdown with a tackle. The Cougars kept RMC out of the endzone with an interception by Josiah Taylor with 2:20 left in the game.
By The Numbers
- The Yellow Jackets outrushed the Cougars 183-to-148 in the game.
- Randolph-Macon had 184 passing yards, compared to Averett's 141.
- RMC outgained AU in total offense 367-to-289.
- Mulhern ended the game going 11-of-19 through the air for 144 yards with one touchdown pass.
- Johnson led for the group of running backs, recording 66 yards on 13 carries. The senior also rushed for his 36th touchdown of his career, tying hall of famer Howard Stevens for fourth all-time.
- Brown rushed 10 times for 38 yards and scored three times.
- Moore led the wideouts with five receptions for 69 yards and added a touchdown.
- Jackson Hall (Richmond, Va./Benedictine) and MacNichol tied for the lead in tackles with seven apiece.
- Patrick Liptrap (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover), Toure and Veney all recorded forced fumbles in the game.
- Williams, MacNichol and Brooks all ended the game with a fumble recovery.
Up Next
Randolph-Macon will head home to welcome in Guilford on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 1:00 p.m.
