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La Plume, PA – The Southern Virginia University football team delivered a statement victory on Saturday, shutting out Keystone College 42-0 to secure the first 3-0 start in program history. The shutout marked the Knights' first since 2013, highlighting a dominant defensive effort that set the tone for the afternoon.
The Knights wasted no time, marching 75 yards in 11 plays on their opening drive. Devin Watson led the offense through the air while Marcus Sollers and Antione Mills powered the ground game, capping the drive with back-to-back completions to Jalen Lackey for the first touchdown just four minutes into the contest.
Keystone struggled to find rhythm against the swarming Knights defense, missing a 41-yard field goal on their first drive before fumbling a punt return that gave Southern Virginia excellent field position. Despite the opportunity, the Knights were stopped short on fourth down and ended the opening quarter with a 7-0 lead.
In the second quarter, the Knights took control. Watson capped a drive with a 4-yard rushing touchdown to make it 13-0, followed shortly after by a 24-yard strike to Javen Ball, pushing the lead to 20-0. Moments later, Ty Smith delivered a 32-yard pick-six to extend the margin to 26-0. Another Keystone fumble set up Watson's third touchdown pass of the half, this one to Henry Audette, sending the Knights into the locker room with a commanding 33-0 advantage.
Southern Virginia kept the pressure on after halftime. Zehner Negahnquet and Jemaar Robinson forced a safety just seconds into the third quarter, and Mills finished a powerful ground drive with a 5-yard touchdown rush to push the final tally to 42-0.
Watson finished the afternoon 19-for-29 with 166 passing yards, three touchdown passes, and one rushing score. Mills led the rushing attack with 50 yards on 10 carries and one touchdown. Ball, Lackey, and Audette each hauled in receiving touchdowns.
Defensively, Smith shined with a pick-six, a pass breakup, and multiple tackles, while Cade Hanson led the unit with six tackles and one sack. The Knights forced four turnovers, including two fumble recoveries, and allowed just 112 total yards.
Special teams also made history as kicker/punter Alex Passey set a new program record with a 67-yard punt, surpassing the previous mark set in 2022.
With the historic win, Southern Virginia enters its bye week before opening USA South Conference play at home against Greensboro College on Saturday, October 4, at 1:00 p.m. in Buena Vista.
For the most up-to-date information and details on the team, visit knightathletics.com and follow @knight_ftbl on Instagram or X.