Methodist 26, Guilford 21
GREENSBORO, N.C. — Travis Murphy's eight-yard touchdown
pass to Anthony Autry with 7:56 to play gave visiting Methodist
University a 26-21 football win at Guilford College Saturday
night.
Murphy completed 17-of-24 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns
to four different receivers in his second career start. The
sophomore also ran for 39 yards on 13 attempts. Jason Talbert was
his favorite target with seven receptions for 86 yards, including
an 18-yard score that gave the Monarchs (1-1) at 14-7 halftime
lead.
The second half featured a gallant comeback and a handful of key
plays that determined the game's final outcome. An errant snap into
the end zone resulted in a Guilford safety early in the third
quarter and brought the Quakers (0-2) to within 14-9.
Methodist recovered a muffed punt by Guilford's Kenneth Hyman III
on the Quakers' 25-yard line later the in third. The recovery set
up Murphy's 25-yard touchdown pass to Corey McGuire on the very
next play, which opened a 20-9 Monarchs' lead. Guilford's Justin
Williams-Blackwell blocked the point after attempt.
The Quakers answered with a nine-play, 76-yard drive capped by a
27-yard touchdown pass from Luke Vandall to Tyler Hasty. Vandall's
pass attempt failed and Methodist held a 20-15 edge after three
quarters.
After Tyler Mosko's 50-yard field-goal attempt fell short early in
the fourth quarter, Vandall moved the Quakers downfield again, this
time scoring on a one-yard keeper to give Guilford its first lead
of the game, 21-20, with 10:24 left in regulation.
The Quakers were penalized 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff due to
excessive celebration after the go-ahead score. A Guilford personal
foul penalty at the end of the kickoff return gave the Monarchs the
ball at midfield. Murphy spread the ball around with four
completions to four receivers in a six-play drive, the last his
eight-yard scoring toss to Autry. Murphy's two-point conversion
pass failed, which kept the score at 26-21.
Methodist's defense preserved the lead with big plays on
Guilford's final two possessions. First, James Shipman picked off
Vandall on the Monarchs' 26-yard line. After a three-and-out by
Methodist's offense, Michael Doyne sacked Vandall for an eight-yard
loss at the Quakers' 39-yard line with 2:49 remaining. Daniel
Castillo broke up Vandall's fourth-and-18 pass intended for Hasty
to close out the win.
Vandall completed 22-of-40 passes for 304 yards, an interception
and two scores, all career highs. Ben King made a game-best 11
grabs for 188 yards, including a 35-yard second-quarter screen pass
that scored Guilford's first touchdown.
Jacob Hunt's seven tackles led Methodist's defensive effort that
held Quakers to four-of-15 on third-down conversion attempts and
one-of-three on fourth down. The Monarchs also limited Guilford to
one score on three trips into the red zone.
Guilford hits the road next week to play Averett University at
1:00 p.m. Following a bye week, Methodist visits Emory & Henry
College Sept. 25 at 1:00 p.m.
