WINCHESTER, Va. – Visiting Randolph-Macon used a dominating offensive performance Saturday afternoon to defeat Shenandoah 47-23 in ODAC action before 1224 chilly Sprint Field at Shentel Stadium fans.
The Yellow Jackets (4-4, 2-3 ODAC) rolled up 512 yards in total offense and earned 30 first downs to take out the Hornets (4-4, 2-3).
R-MC possessed the ball for 41:39 of the contest, including 10:20 in the second quarter, a 15-minute stretch in which the 'Jackets turned a 7-0 lead into to a 27-10 halftime advantage.
Shenandoah kept itself in the game by getting a Malik Sims blocked punt for a touchdown to open the second half scoring, but could not get closer than 11 points in the final 30 minutes of play.
The Hornets final chance at a comeback was thwarted midway through the fourth on a failed 4th and 1 from the Macon 3.
SU had an incomplete pass on third down, missing low on the throw, before 'Jackets defensive end Cole Burdette batted down Hornet quarterback Drew Ferguson's pass on fourth down.
Macon then effectively iced the contest by taking 9:32 off the clock on a 15-play, 97-yard that ended with a Zac Naccarato to Mike Doe 6-yard TD pass.
The TD hookup was one of three that the duo had on the afternoon.
Running back John Byrd did most of the damage for the 'Jackets, rushing for 219 yards and two touchdowns on 33 carries.
Byrd had 146 yards rushing by halftime and helped his team to 361 yards on the ground.
Shenandoah answered with 385 total yards of its own, and despite 116 yards on 13 carries from sophomore Cedrick Delaney, were held to 15 first downs on the day.
Ferguson was 17 of 29 for 221 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Defensively, junior Michael Messick tied a school record (set by Micheal Wroble last season against R-MC) with 19 tackles.
Messick had 11 solo stops and was one of three players (along with Wroble and Cedrick Bridges) to record at least 10 tackles.
SU begins a two-game road trip to complete the 2014 season next Saturday at Emory and Henry. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00.
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