Box Score The Maryville College Fighting Scots offense was moving on all cylinders against Christopher Newport University. Despite accumulating 469 offensive yards, Maryville saw the Captains capitalize on a pair of interceptions and a fumble to defeat the Scots 45-31 on Saturday afternoon on MC's Honaker Field.
On Maryville second offensive possession CNU's Tyler Portell picked off an Evan Pittenger pass on the Scots' own 35 yard line. Five plays later, Markeese Stovall dashed nine yards for the first score of the game. Mason Studer's kick made the score 7-0.
The Scots looked to answer in their next possession Eric Sisson replaced Pittenger and marched MC down the field for a 10 play, 74 yard scoring drive. 29 rushing yards by Travis Felder put Maryville in scoring position and then Sisson connected with Felder with a 14 yard pass play to end the drive. Dylan Miller's kick evened the score 7-7 to end the first quarter.
A 35 yard kickoff return by Paul Dukes gave the Captains excellent field possession. A nine play drive was stalled when Kane Crowell and Josh Krebs shut down CNU's passing game on consecutive plays forcing a 31 yard field goal attempt. Studer's kick was good and CNU took a 10-7 lead with 14:07 remaining in the second quarter.
MC would take their next drive 69 yards to put Dylan Miller in field goal range. An 18 yard pass from Sisson to Chad Brooks game Maryville the ball at midfield. An 11 yard pass to Blake Williams put MC in scoring range. Miller promptly connected from 24 yards awat to tie the game at 10-10 with five minutes remaining before the half.
With 2:40 remaining before the intermission, CNU took advantage of a 38 yard Justin Williams punt return. A face mask penalty gave CNU the ball on the 17 yard line and one play later Paul Dukes dashed 17 yards into the end zone. Studer's kick game the Captains a 17-10 lead with just over two minutes remaining in the half.
On the ensuing kickoff MC's Ed Johnson fumbled the return and gave CNU the ball on their own 15 yard line. Aaron Edwards connected with Rudy Rudolph from 13 yards out to give the Captains a 24-10 advantage at the break.
The Captains broke open the game with a pair of scores late in the second quarter using less than two minutes of possession time.
The start of the third quarter saw MC's defense make a key stop to force the ball over on downs. Maryville rode the momentum and Travis Felder's legs to put together a seven play, 61 yard scoring drive. Key completions from Sisson to Jared Miller and Ed Johnson kept the drive intact. Felder got into the secondary and raced pact the Captains for a 29 yard TD score. Miller's kick made the score 24-17.
A Mason Studer punt pinned Mc deep in their own territory. Sisson tried to make something happen and the Captains hauled in their second interception of the day. Tyshawn Harris returned his pick to the Maryville 10 and CNU would take advantage of the Scots' miscue. Six plays and two minutes later, Dukes plunged in from a yard out to make the score 31-17.
As the third quarter wound down, Maryville was putting the final touches on a strong 74 yard drive. A pair of catches by Blake Williams and a 12 yard snag by Felder put Maryville on the CNU doorstep as the third quarter clock expired. After three quarters of action Christopher Newport led MC 31-17.
As the last quarter began, quarterback Evan Pittenger called his own number and scrambled for a five yard rushing score. Miller's kick put the Scots within striking distance trailing 31-24 with 14:49 remaining in the game.
MC's defense stopped the Captains on downs and gave the Scots the ball at midfield. The next play Pittenger was intercepted by Daniel Lewis and CNU would capitalize once again on an MC mistake.
Five plays later CNU Marcus Morrast broke through the MC defense for a 28 yard TD dash. A 38-24 score would not be enough to secure a victory.
Maryville next possession saw Ed Johnson return the kickoff 36 yards. A 12 yard run by Felder and a 14 yard reception for Tim Foster put Maryville at midfield. An Evan Pittenger 29 yard rush and a face mask penalty put MC in scoring range. Felder would find the end zone from a yard out to make the score 38-31.
A failed on-side kick and a Paul Dukes 24 yard scoring jaunt sealed the victory for the Captains. As the clock expired, Christopher Newport would claim their first USA South victory of the season with a 45-31 win over the Scots.
CNU (2-2, 1-0 USA South) finished the game with 249 yards rushing. Paul Dukes averaged seven yards per carry en route to a 92 yard, three touchdown performance. Marcus Morrast added 74 yards on 13 carries. The Captains' defense was paced by Tyshawn's nine solo tackles and interception. He finished with 11 total stops and three pass breakups. Chad Cieslewicz added 10 tackles and a forced fumble.
Maryville (1-3, 0-1 USA South) had 227 rushing yards. They were led in the backfield by Travis Felder who tallied 140 yards on 23 carries. Chad Brooks added 53 yards on 13 touches. MC signal callers combined for 217 passing yards. Sisson was 13-for-23 for a touchdown and 125 yards. Pittenger was 10-for-19 for 92 yards. Blake Williams hauled in nine passes for 88 yards while Jared Miller and Ed Johnson combined for seven receptions. MC's defense was led by Dylan Wolfenbarger's 18 total tackles. Kane Crowell broke up a pass and added 11 stops while Zach Capehart was strong on the line with a pair of tackles for a loss and a sack.
The Scots will return to action next week when they travel to Greensboro, North Carolina to challenge the Pride in a tough USA South match-up. Kick-off is slated for 1:00 p.m.
