MARYVILLE, Tenn. – Host Maryville College sandwiched a pair of touchdowns around the start of the fourth quarter Saturday afternoon and then had to hold on in a 23-20 USA South Conference football victory over Shenandoah.
Leading 10-7 with two minutes to play in the third quarter, Maryville (5-4, 4-2 USA South) finished off a 17-play, 70-yard drive with a 1-yard TD plunge by quarterback Derek Hunt to make it 16-7. The big play on the drive was a 22-yard Darrell Tate rush on 4th and 9 from punt formation that gave the hosts a first down on the Hornets 26.
On their next possession, Hunt found Sam McCord for 4-yard TD pass to provide the hosts with seemingly safe 16-point advantage.
The cushion proved large enough, but SU (2-7, 1-5) made things more interesting that the 4028 Honacker Field fans would have liked.
Kevin Roberts, who had a game-high 125 yards rushing on 22 carries, scored his second touchdown of the day at the 5:19 mark on a 24-yard run. After forcing a Scots fumble at the Shenandoah 48, the Hornets took over with 3:28 remaining.
Seven plays later, quarterback Vern Lunsford hit BJ Smoot with a 41-yard touchdown pass and Shenandoah trailed by just three following the Travis Bishop PAT.
Unfortunately for the visitors, Maryville was able to recover the ensuing onsides kick and ran out the clock.
The late-game offensive sparks contrasted with a first half in which the two teams combined for just 17 points.
The Scots opened the contest with a 13-play, 72-yard drive that resulted in a Darrell Tate 1-yard run before SU answered with a long drive of its own.
The Hornets moved it 66 yards in just five plays on their first offensive possession, the last a 31-yard burst by Roberts, to tie the contest at 7-7.
The final score of the half proved to be the hosts margin of victory. Kicker Brad Daniell nailed a 39-yard field goal on the first play of the second quarter, and after Bishop missed a 47-yarder on the final play of the half, Maryville took that 10-7 lead into the halftime lockerroom.
Shenandoah outgained MC 353-271, including 179 to 85 through the air. Lunsford was 12 for 19 for 179 and completed passes to five different receivers.
