Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
SEWANEE, Tenn. (Sept. 10, 2016) – Long-time rival Washington & Lee rallied from a 17-0 deficit in the fourth quarter to defeat the Sewanee football team, 21-17, Saturday, at historic Hardee-McGee Field at Harris Stadium.
The loss is the second straight 21-17 defeat for the Tigers this season. The Generals have now won 11 of the last 12 meetings between both historic programs.
After neither team found any type of offensive rhythm early, Sewanee finally broke the scoreless tie as freshman quarterback Sam Hearn found senior tight end Divine Maloney on an 18-yard quick slant for the game's first touchdown.
The score remained in favor of the Tigers with 9:25 left in the third quarter, as kicker Michael Jacobs connected on a 28-yard field goal.
Sewanee continued its strong second half after the Tiger defense got the ball back by stopping W&L at midfield when linebacker Tristian Fuller sacked Charlie Wilson with 14:52 to play. Three plays later, Hearn was at it again when he found Ronald Hayes on a perfect corner pattern. After Hayes caught the ball at the 15-yard line, the Tiger slotback raced the final yards into the end zone for a 39-yard score.
Needing to respond in a big way, W&L answered. The Generals finally scored when Nelson raced 13 yards which capped off a quick six-play, 60-yard drive that only took 1:42 off the clock.
After holding Sewanee to a three and out on the next Tiger possession, the Generals continued to pick up steam. On third and six for the Tiger 35, McKenna Johnson scored the second straight W&L touchdown.
After forcing Sewanee to punt again, W&L went to work with 4:36 to play from its own 20-yard line.
After not advancing more than four yards on the first three plays of the drive, the Generals faced a fourth and six from their own 24-yard line. With the pressure on, Nelson and W&L came through as receiver Walker Brand caught a 31-yard pass. Three plays later, Nelson gave W&L the lead as he tossed a 31-yard touchdown pass to Witt Hawkins with 2:59 left.
Sewanee did manage to drive down to the W&L 24 yard line with just under a minute to play. However, two straight incomplete passes and a failed fourth and nine conversion sealed the win for W&L.
Overall, Sewanee finished with 309 yards of total offense. Hearn added 193 passing yards to go along with 38 rushing yards. Tailback Mikey Plancher also played well with 71 yards on 21 attempts.
Hearn's favorite target on the afternoon was sophomore Allan Parrott, who returned to the lineup and made three catches for 61 yards.
Despite W&L's slow start, Nelson led the Generals to 400 yards of total offense.
Defensively, Tiger safety John Cleveland again led Sewanee in tackles with 11 stops. Fellow safety Lee Menefee and linebacker Tony Dykes also played well with eight tackles each.
Sewanee will open Southern Athletic Association (SAA) play by hosting Birmingham-Southern next Saturday at 1:00 p.m.
For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com. You can also check the Tigers out on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.