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BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University football team continued its historic season with a dominant 30–13 Homecoming win over the Monarchs of Methodist University in front of a packed Knight Stadium crowd. The victory marked the Knights' most wins in a season since joining NCAA Division III and their most conference wins in a single year, improving to 5–1 overall and 2–1 in USA South play.
The Knights' defense set the tone early, forcing a punt on Methodist's opening drive. Although an early interception stalled the first offensive possession, Southern Virginia's defense held strong, forcing a missed 31-yard field goal attempt.
Moments later, the game's momentum swung sharply in the Knights' favor when Blake Beardall forced a fumble and Britton Tidwell scooped it up, racing 75 yards for a defensive touchdown. to put the score at 6–0.
Southern Virginia's defense continued to dominate, forcing another quick three-and-out before the offense found its rhythm. Quarterback Devin Watson connected with Jalen Lackey on key passes to move the chains, and Roger Adam powered the ground attack. Watson capped off the drive with a 19-yard touchdown strike to MJ Laws, giving the Knights a 13–0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Methodist responded early in the second quarter with a 10-play scoring drive to cut the deficit to 13–6 after a missed PAT. Both defenses tightened up, trading stops until the Knights capitalized on a special teams miscue when the Monarchs' punter went down while fielding a snap. Southern Virginia took over at the eight-yard line, setting up a 20-yard field goal from Alex Passey to make it 16–6 at halftime.
The Monarchs briefly climbed back into the game in the third quarter when a Watson fumble was returned 82 yards for a touchdown, cutting the score to 16–13. But the Knights quickly regained control. After a big 32-yard punt return by Lackey, Watson found Jireek Washington for a touchdown, extending the lead to 23–13.
Southern Virginia sealed the game in the fourth quarter when Roger Adam broke free for a 55-yard run, setting himself up for a one-yard touchdown plunge. Passey's extra point made it 30–13, which held as the final score.
Watson turned in his second straight 300-yard passing performance, finishing with 302 yards and two touchdowns. Adam added 90 rushing yards and a score, while Lackey led the receiving corps with four catches for 70 yards. Laws and Washington each hauled in touchdown receptions.
Defensively, the Knights held Methodist to just 128 total yards and forced six punts, highlighted by Tidwell's defensive touchdown. Cade Hanson and Blake Beardall anchored a dominant defensive front that consistently disrupted the Monarch offense.
Southern Virginia will look to build on its momentum when it travels to Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to face N.C. Wesleyan on Saturday, October 25, at 12:00 p.m. The Battling Bishops enter the matchup at 3–3 overall and 1–2 in conference play.
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