ASHLAND, Va. – The Yellow Jackets used their success through the air to defeat Maryville (Tenn.) on Hall of Fame weekend by a score of 42-14 to complete non-conference play.
The Basics
Score: #25 Randolph-Macon 42, Maryville 14
Venue: Ashland, Va. / Randolph-Macon College / Day Field
Records: Randolph-Macon (2-1, 0-0 ODAC); Maryville (0-3, 0-0 SAA)
How it Happened
- Randolph-Macon started the game with a bang, as Jordan Etz (Midlothian, Va./James River) placed the opening kickoff where the Scots return team was not. The Yellow Jackets rushed down the field and Quentin Mankin (Dinwiddie, Va./Dinwiddie) dove on the live ball to give the first possession of the game to RMC.
- The Lemon and Black only needed four rushing plays to score a touchdown, as Jake Mulhern (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) took the quarterback designed run in the endzone and gave RMC a quick 7-0 advantage with 13:02 left in the opening quarter.
- Both teams traded possessions for the remainder of the quarter and the fireworks early in the quarter led to a 7-0 lead for the Yellow Jackets after the first 15:00 minutes.
- The offenses were struggling to produce into the second quarter and Randolph-Macon found themselves with the ball with 2:54 left until halftime. Mulhern broke the scoring drought with a sideline strike to Basit Qadri (Ashburn, Va./Rock Ridge). Qadri only needed to get the ball in his hands, scampering 63 yards down the sideline into the endzone. The quick offense ignited the offense for the Lemon and Black, taking a 14-0 lead with 2:34 left until halftime.
- Maryville would respond on the next drive with seven straight completions by quarterback Jaxon Dabrowski. The freshman capped off the drive with a 2-yard rushing touchdown and cut the Yellow Jacket lead in half at 14-7 with :34 seconds left until halftime.
- Randolph-Macon only needed one play to answer right before halftime, as Mulhern connected with a wide open Malakiah Moore (Richmond, Va./Varina) for a 75-yard touchdown pass. The score took the Lemon and Black into the locker room with a 21-7 lead.
- The big plays through the air kept coming for RMC, as Mulhern started the second half with a pass to Quinten Jones (Roanoke, Va./Lord Botetourt). Jones would make some nice cuts, finding the open field and took the pass to the house for 57 yards. Randolph-Macon used two big plays to score two touchdowns in less than three minutes, extending its lead to 28-7 with the third quarter just starting.
- In the very next drive for Maryville, Mankin kept making plays for the Yellow Jackets and intercepted Dabrowski on a promising drive for the Scots.
- Randolph-Macon kept getting great quarterback play from Mulhern, as the sophomore found Trever Luther (Chambersburg, Pa./Chambersburg Senior) for a 46-yard reception and set up RMC inside the 25-yardline of the Scots. Detric Brown (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) capped off the drive with a three yard rushing touchdown and pushed the lead to 35-7 for the Lemon and Black with 8:54 left in the third quarter.
- The final eight minutes went scoreless, but Matthew MacNichol (Roanoke Rapids, N.C./Roanoke Rapids) had the lone highlight with a fourth down tackle to turnover Maryville. Randolph-Macon had control of the game and took a 35-7 lead into the final 15 minutes.
- Maryville had possession of the ball heading into the final quarter and cashed in with a Dabrowski one yard run. The Yellow Jackets still would hold a 35-14 lead with just over 14 minutes left in the game.
- Randolph-Macon answered with an 11-play drive that took six minutes off the clock and Jackson Landis (Landisville, Pa./Hempfield) used his legs to score from a yard out. The lead grew to 42-14 for the Lemon and Black with 8:07 left on the clock.
- The final big play of the game came on a Mikey Barber (Arlington, Va./Washington-Liberty) interception with 1:15 left in the game. Randolph-Macon recovered from a slow start and ended its non-conference schedule with a 42-14 home victory.
By The Numbers
- The Yellow Jackets outrushed Maryville 143-to-97 in the game.
- Randolph-Macon had 310 passing yards to the Scots 210.
- The Lemon and Black held the ball for 31:09, compared to Marville's 28:51 of time of offense.
- Mulhern ended the game going 10-of-11 through the air for a career high 274 yards with a career high three touchdown passes. The sophomore also rushed for 12 yards and a touchdown.
- Mitchell Johnson (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) was the leader in stable of running backs, recording 51 yards on 10 carries.
- Brown and Landis each scored on the ground for the Yellow Jackets. The duo combined for 40 yards on 11 carries.
- Moore led the receivers with 94 yards on three receptions and added a touchdown.
- Qadri and Jones combined for 120 yards in receiving, each scoring once for the Lemon and Black.
- Jackson Hall (Henrico, Va./Benedictine) led the defense in overall tackles with nine and added a tackle for loss.
- Christian Daniel (Willow Springs, N.C./Overhills) and Zach Tyler (Mechanicsville, Va./Hanover) both recorded eight tackles in the game.
- Barber and Mankin each had an interception in the game. Mankin also tallied seven tackles and a fumble recovery.
For the Record
- The last time the Lemon and Black recorded 300 or more passing yards was against Catholic during the 2021 season. The team ended that game with 443 yards passing.
- Randolph-Macon is now 28-6 (.824) in the month of September since the 2016 season.
Up Next
Following its bye week, Randolph-Macon will host Bridgewater (Va.) to open up conference play on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 1:00 p.m.
