Nov 16, 2024
HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – Randolph-Macon outscored Hampden-Sydney 27-0 in the second half in recording a 27-6 victory on Saturday afternoon in the 129th edition of The Game for the 11th consecutive win in the series for the Yellow Jackets.
Randolph-Macon is ranked No. 15 in the AFCA Top 25.
The Basics:
Score: Randolph-Macon 27, Hampden-Sydney 6
Venue: Everett Stadium
Records: RMC 9-1, 7-0 ODAC; H-SC 5-5, 3-4 ODAC
How it Happened:
- The Tigers moved 75 yards in 12 plays to open the game, reaching the end zone. The PAT run failed, giving H-SC a 6-0 lead.
- Late in the first period, senior Owen Arruza (Ashland, Va./Patrick Henry) recovered a fumble on the RMC 35. The Yellow Jackets drove to the H-SC 22 but were stopped on downs.
- The Tigers snagged an interception late in the second quarter, but the Yellow Jacket defense kept them out of the end zone, making it 6-0 at intermission.
- Following a short kickoff to start the second half, RMC started on its own 40. The Yellow Jackets needed just five plays to reach the end zone, as senior Kwesi Clarke (Wilmington, N.C./North Brunswick) ran it in from 23 yards out. Senior Kyle Ihle (Apex, N.C./Middle Creek) kicked the extra point to put RMC up 7-6 with 12:27 left in the third period.
- Senior Coleton Payne (Mechanicsville, Va./Lee-Davis) had an interception in the end zone on H-SC's next possession, giving the Yellow Jackets the ball on their 20. RMC drove 80 yards in 13 plays, as senior Dante Casciola (Charlotte, N.C./Weddington) hit junior Jason Moore (Craven County, N.C./Havelock) with a 12-yard TD pass. The extra point was missed, giving the Yellow Jackets a 13-6 advantage with 1:16 remaining in the third quarter.
- The RMC defense forced a punt that went out of bounds at the RMC 35. Casciola hit junior Cullen Martin (Moore, N.C./Pinecrest) on a 28-yard pass toss to start the drive and connected with Clarke on a 25-yard pass to put the ball on the H-SC 17. Clarke took it to the end zone from there, giving the visitors a 20-7 lead with 12:44 left in the fourth period.
- The Tigers drove to the R-MC 2, but the Yellow Jacket defense kept them out of the end zone
- On H-SC's next possession, consecutive sacks by junior Jarren King (Fredericksburg, Va./Massaponax) and Arruza ended the drive at the H-SC 44.
- Junior Mitchell Johnson (Powhatan, Va./Powhatan) scored the last touchdown on a two-yard run with 57 seconds left to make the final 27-6.
By The Numbers:
- RMC finished with 332 yards of total offense, with 272 coming in the second half.
- The Yellow Jackets ran the ball 40 times for 231 yards. Clarke rushed 16 times for 96 yards and two TDs, while Casciola ran 12 times for 92 yards.
- Casciola completed 10 of 14 passes for 101 yards and one score.
- Senior Tony Skinner paced the defense with 11 tackles, including three tackles for loss. Senior Daniel Eliasek had eight tackles, two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Arruza also had eight tackles with three quarterback sacks.
For The Record:
- RMC has won 11 straight and 13 of the past 14 meetings with H-SC.
- The Yellow Jackets have won 25 consecutive ODAC contests, dating back to the 2021 season. RMC secured its third straight conference title with the win against Ferrum. The Yellow Jackets have won 15 ODAC crowns, the most in conference history.
- RMC has won 11 straight road contests and 21 consecutive regular-season road games.
- RMC is one of three programs in NCAA Division III with nine or more wins in each of the past six full seasons, joining Mount Union and North Central.
Up Next:
- Randolph-Macon won the ODAC's automatic qualifier to the NCAA Championship. The selection show will be streamed on NCAA.com on Sunday, Nov. 17, at 5 p.m. ET.