CONWAY, Ark. – Centre football left little to doubt in its Southern Athletic Association opener Saturday, rolling over Hendrix at Young-Wise Memorial Stadium, 45-6.
The Colonels (3-0, 1-0 SAA) amassed over 500 of offense and had three takeaways against the Warriors (1-2, 0-1), defeating Hendrix for the second year in a row.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Hendrix opened the scoring with a field goal midway through the first quarter after a 14-play drive, but the Colonels would reel off 21 unanswered and carry a 21-6 lead into the half.
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Tanner Young scored the game's first touchdown with a 13-yard scamper, and hit
Cody Estep and
Jaylon Hibbs for TD passes in the second quarter.
- Hibbs hauled in another touchdown in the third period from
John Walton, marking the first collegiate TD pass for the junior QB.
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Colin Burnam converted his third rushing score in as many games on the first play of the fourth quarter, making it 35-6, and
Cal Lewellyn picked off a Hendrix pass on the next possession to all but end a comeback bid.
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Ben Logsdon hit a field goal midway through the last period, and
Jay Becherer caught his first career TD pass from Walton late in the game to cap the scoring.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Although playing without preseason All-American Miles Thompson, Hendrix managed only two trips to the red zone. The Colonels defense allowed the Warriors to cross midfield on only four drives.
- Centre's own preseason All-American, Lewellyn, had two interceptions and a fumble recovery to go along with six tackles (five solo). It was his third career multi-interception game.
- Young finished 14-for-22 for 277, two touchdowns and one pick. Walton was hyper-efficient in a reserve role, completing all three pass attempts for two touchdowns.
- Hibbs finished with five catches for 123 yards and two scores, while Burnam led the backfield with 85 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
- Defending SAA Special Teams Player of the Week,
Nate Johnson, ended up with a team-high eight tackles (three solo), and
Eric Smith followed with seven (three solo).
UP NEXT
The Colonels have arguably their most important game of the season next Saturday, hosting Berry at Farris Stadium for a 7 p.m. ET kick on Family Weekend. The Vikings handed Centre its lone loss of 2017, winning the SAA and earning a spot in the NCAA Tournament.