Bethel ends Faulkner's 2-game winning streak
View the action galler here
November 9
BY NATHAN ALLINDER • SPECIAL TO THE ADVERTISER
PRATTVILLE -- Coming into Saturday night's matchup with Bethel College, Faulkner had won it last two games, which represented the only two victories in the football program's history.
That momentum, however, counted for little as the Wildcats defeated the Eagles 38-6 at Stanley Jensen Stadium.
Justin Woodard got the scoring started for Bethel, capping a 95-yard drive with a 3-yard plunge into the end zone at the end of the first quarter. Two drives later, a 27-yard pass from Chad Lamping to Will Cripps yielded the same result, putting the visitors up 14-0.
As the second quarter wound down, Faulkner was able to put together a solid scoring drive, moving 75 yards in just over 51/2 minutes. A quarterback sneak by Philip Moore from 1 yard out gave the Eagles a touchdown, but a bad snap on the extra point attempt kept the score at just 14-6.
There was a scary moment in the third quarter. Driving in Bethel territory, Moore was sacked. Following the play, a Bethel defender blatantly kicked Moore in the leg, eliciting an outcry from the Faulkner bench. Moore remained on the turf for a couple of minutes before hobbling to the sideline.
No flags were thrown.
Moore would later return, but the damage was done.
Backup David Jones threw an interception to end the drive, and from there Bethel rolled, scoring 17 offensive points in the second half on runs by Steve Jarrett and David Brown. Jones also had a fumble return for a touchdown by Justin McElrath with just 2:48 left in the game.
After the game, Faulkner coach Jim Nichols praised his team for not giving up and playing hard throughout.
"We're pretty young, and it shows," Nichols said, noting that there are only two seniors on the team. "We shot ourselves in the foot in the red zone. We'd have a big play here and there, but we just couldn't capitalize."
Linebacker Matt Fleck agreed with his coach.
"The defense played well, but just a few stupid mistakes turned the game around," he said.
Fleck finished the game with six tackles and a sack.
In spite of the loss, Nichols said he hopes to get back on track next week in the season finale against Virginia-Wise.
"We've just got to quit making mistakes and use this final game as a springboard into next season," he said, referencing the fact that winning three of the last four games after a season and a half of losses would be a great accomplishment.
Wide receiver Jurell Williams is confident in the Eagles' ability to bounce back.
"We feel good that we can go out and set the tone for next season the right way," Williams said.
Notes: Jurell Williams was perhaps the only offensive spark on this night, accounting for 103 of Faulkner's 194 yards of total offense.
Quarterback Philip Moore finished 15-for-33 for 142 yards through the air. Mike Timmons led the Eagles in rushing with 33 yards on 13 carries. Linebacker Sean Thom led the defense with 12 tackles, bringing him to 150 on the season. That leads the NAIA.