WINCHESTER, Va. - No doubt.

The Shenandoah University football team left no doubt who is the best team in the USA South Conference this season, defeating Methodist College 42-23 before 1507 Shentel Stadium fans Saturday afternoon.

With the win, SU (7-3 overall, 5-1 USA South) wins its second consecutive USA South Conference co-championship and qualifies for the NCAA playoffs for the first time in the five year history of the program. The Hornets will share the 2004 title with Christopher Newport, who defeated Ferrum 16--9 Saturday, but get the Pool A bid to the playoffs by virtue of a 14-10 win over the Captains on October 2.

Coach Paul Barnes wasted little time in getting the victory over Methodist (7-3, 4-2). Shenandoah drove 63 yards in 15 plays on its first possession before Bryce Harrington (Merritt Island, Fla./Merritt Island) nailed a 22-yard field goal to give the hosts the early lead.

After the two teams traded a pair of turnovers, the Hornets reeled off 27 more first half points to take a commanding 30-0 lead into the halftime lockerroom.

Junior Anthony Frates (Virginia Beach, Va./First Colonial) did most of the heavy lifting during this run; he had 126 of his school record 207 yards rushing in the first half and scored touchdowns of 4 and 3 yards. Frates also became the first SU running back to crack the 1000 yard barrier with his last carry. He ends the regular season with 1001 yards on the ground.

The score was 36-0 before the Monarchs finally got on the board with a Chris Roncketti to Jerrold Robinson 8-yard TD pass at the third quarter buzzer. MC added two more TDs in the final 15 minutes and got 2-point conversions on each to get to 23 points, but the damage was already done.

Shenandoah outgained the Monarchs 534 to 292, including 424 to 84 on the ground. In addition to Frates' 207, Brandon Lacey (King George, Va./Washington - Lee) gained 116 on just 10 carries. This is the fourth consecutive game he has cracked the 100-yard barrier.

SU finds out its first round opponent Sunday at 1:00.