Box Score The Maryville College Scots couldn't overcome penalties and third-down miscues on Saturday, as they suffered their first conference loss of the season, 28-24, to the hands of Huntingdon College.
Maryville racked up 83 yards on nine penalties against the Hawks, as they converted only 3-of-13 on third down. Many of those penalties forced the Scots into third-and-long situations in the loss.
MC also gave up four sacks for a combined 36 yards on the day.
Maryville outpaced Huntingdon with 469 total yards to only 359. The Scots ruled the clock, as well, with 37:51 compared to 22:09 for Huntingdon. However, a long score and short field position helped the Hawks to earn the victory.
Maryville falls to 5-1 in the USA South Athletic Conference, as they are currently tied with Averett and Huntingdon for the conference championship. Averett and Huntingdon play on Saturday to decide the conference champion. If the Hawks fall to the Cougars, MC would earn the NCAA qualifying bid with a win against Greensboro on Saturday.
Maryville's Nick Myers tallied a 23-of-36 effort for 289 yards and a touchdown. The senior quarterback moves into the third-best season for the Scots with 2,442 passing yards on the year. He trails only Pat Moyer, as he needs only 33 yards to break the 31-year record. Moyer passed for 2,455 in 1984 and 2,475 in 1985.
Elijah Chenier had his third consecutive game of over 100 yards and his fourth on the year, as the sophomore rushed for 144 yards on 24 carries. He also scored a touchdown for Maryville. Behind the day, Chenier crossed the 1,000-yard mark, as he sits at 1,038 on the season. He's only the seventh back to gallop for a grand in a single season at Maryville.
Freshman Gianni Montgomery caught seven passes for 108 yards and Myers' lone touchdown on the day.
Ian Hubbs went 3-for-4 on field goals for Maryville on the day, while Cedric Brown led Maryville with nine tackles and a forced fumble.
For Huntingdon, it was Luke Bailey that tallied 244 yards on a 12-for-21 day. He had two touchdowns on the afternoon. Otis Porter rolled up 139 yards on only four receptions, including a 97-yard pitch-and-catch on a screen pass early in the contest.
Maryville would have the first opportunity, as their 11-play, 45-yard drive stalled at the Huntingdon 32. Hubbs' attempted the 49-yard field goal, but it sailed just right at the 11:00 mark.
Huntingdon would score first, as Bailey took it on his own. The quarterback rushed the final 8 yards of the 12-play, 68-yard drive. Chase Young's kick attempt was good, as the Hawks led 7-0 with 6:32 left in the first half.
After Max Peets and Hunter Sheffield trapped the Hawks deep on a punt, Maryville would give up the big play. Bailey found Porter on a screen pass, as he raced 97 yards for the 14-0 lead with 2:28 left in the opening period.
The Scots would bounce back at the 11:08 mark of the second quarter. A dropped pass on third down set up Hubbs for a 35-yard field goal. The six-play, 42-yard drive left Maryville trailing, 14-3.
Hubb's second field goal would come after the Scots' Brown forced a fumble that was recovered by DaKelin Wells. Myers found Logan Winders for the 28-yard pass, but the drive stalled at the Huntingdon 11. Hubbs' 28-yarder rank true to make the score, 14-6 with 7:28 left in the first half.
Huntingdon would gain a commanding lead with 1:59 left in the first half. Vic Jerald rushed the final six yards of the four-play, 22-yard drive after MC fumbled. The Hawks led 21-5.
However, Maryville would match them with 25 seconds left. Myers found Montgomery from 11 yards out to end the six-play, 74-yard drive. The duo connected three times on the drive for 50 yards. At the break, Maryville trailed 21-13.
The Scots forced a turnover to open the second half. Ethan Williams stepped in front of Luke Bailey's pass. Chenier would finish the score with a 30-yard rush. His two-point try failed, as Maryville had cut the score to 21-19 with 13:18 left in the third quarter.
Huntingdon would extend its lead, however, with 7:30 left in the third. Bailey would find Brandon Mattox on a 3-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 28-19.
Hubbs would find his third field goal of the game. His 23-yard attempt sailed true, as Maryville trailed 28-22 with 2:50 left in the third quarter.
The Hawks would get an interception late, as they would run the clock out. With 2 seconds left, Bailey ran for a loss of 11 yards through the back of the end zone for a safety and a 28-24 final.
