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ROME, Ga. – Dale Jackson threw two touchdown passes to Trey Ciresi--and the Vikings' defense recorded the program's first shutout--as Berry College defeated Rhodes College, 24-0, on Saturday.
BC improved to 2-1 and 1-0 in the Southern Athletic Association. The Lynx dropped to 2-1 and 0-1 in the SAA.
Ciresi had 114 yards on six receptions for the home team. Jackson passed 12-of-19 for 163 yards.
Berry outgained Rhodes in total offense yards, 240-187. The defense pushed its shutout string to 103 minutes and 18 seconds, heading back to the second quarter of last week's LaGrange game. Counting the LaGrange overtime period, no opponent has scored on the Vikings in seven periods.
BC recorded six sacks, 12 tackles for losses and 63 net yards rushing. Preston Stewart (pictured below) had three sacks, 3.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble to lead the Vikings' defense. Evan Breakspear had nine tackles and recorded a fumble. Kreg Keiffer and Shayne Edwards each had an interception.
"When you win 24-0, it's defense, offense and special teams," said Berry Head Coach Tony Kunczewski. "We got some tough yards on offense and Rhodes is a very good team."
Jalen Tuggle (18 carries, 46 yards) scored a two-yard rushing touchdown with 1:33 left in the first quarter. Mitchell Blanchard's point-after pushed the score to 7-0.
Jackson and Ciresi hooked up on a 17-yard scoring strike with 4:54 left before halftime. Ciresi jumped high in the near corner of the end zone to make the play. Blanchard's PAT moved the score to 14-0, where it remained until the final quarter.
Rhodes made an adjustment at halftime: They brought in wide receiver Jonathan Wiener to run the Wildcat offense for parts of the second half. They gained some yards with Wiener at QB, but the BC defense held. Wiener had 29 yards rushing and 45 receiving yards on four receptions. Four different quarterbacks played for the Lynx. Sam Yarborough was 6-of-10 for 58 yards.
Blanchard booted a 32-yard field goal to increase the lead to 17-0 with 9:58 left in the game. Ciresi caught a 25-yard pass from Jackson with 2:25 left on the clock. The PAT bumped the margin to 24-0.
"We'll enjoy this, but know we have a long way to go and still need to improve," Kunczewski said. "We still haven't won on the road as a program, and hope to end that streak soon."
Berry plays at Sewanee next Saturday.
View Coach K postgame video HERE.
