Season ends for Wilson, Wofford with loss in overtime
From Wofford reports YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio
– The Wofford College football team’s season came to an end on Saturday afternoon with a 30-23 loss in double overtime to Youngstown State in the NCAA FCS Quarterfinals. The Terriers took a lead with 9:22 left in the game, but a field goal by the Penguins tied it with five minutes remaining. Both teams failed to score in the first overtime and Wofford could not answer a touchdown by YSU in the second overtime.
Wofford ends the season at 10-4 overall. Youngstown State moves to 11-3 and advances to the semifinals. The Terriers, ranked #19, were led by Joe Newman with 125 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Lorenzo Long added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Malik Rivera led the Wofford defense with 11 tackles and an interception. The #12 ranked Penguins were led by Jody Webb with 2143 rushing yards, while Wells Hunter threw for three touchdowns.
Former Calhoun High standout Jireh Wilson had two solo tackles in the season-ending loss to wrap up his freshman campaign. He was recently named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team.
The Penguins had the ball first and went three-and-out. The punt was blocked by Mason Alstatt and recovered by R.J. Taylor at the five-yard line. On the third play of the first drive by Wofford, Lorenzo Long scored from one yard out. A bad snap on the point after made it a 6-0 lead with 12:11 on the clock. The Penguins gained a pair of first downs after a long kickoff return, but a 43-yard field goal attempt into the wind was wide left. The Terriers were limited to one first down before punting.
On the first play of the ensuing drive by the Penguins, Malik Rivera picked off a pass from Hunter Wells and Wofford took over at the 43-yard line.
After a first down, David Marvin hit a 37-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead with 53 seconds left in the first quarter. The Penguins picked up a pair of first downs, but then a sack by Thad Mangum forced a punt. Wofford began at the 16-yard line and went threeand-out. On the next drive by the Penguins, they gained four first downs and then scored on a nine-yard pass to Darien Townsend. The PAT was missed and the score was 9-6 at the 5:48 mark of the second quarter.
Wofford gained one first down before having to punt. After one first down, Hunter Wells found Damoun Patterson for a 45-yard touchdown pass and took a 13-9 advantage with 2:18 left in the first half. Wofford once again was held to one first down and punted with 27 seconds on the clock. The Penguins took a knee to send the game to halftime.
To open the first half, Joe Newman took the ball on the first play up the middle for 75 yards and a touchdown. The Terriers had a 16-13 lead with 14:46 in the third quarter. The Penguins had the ball, but Terrance Morris forced a fumble that was recovered by Tyler Vaughn and the Terriers took over at the 37-yard line. The Terriers then fumbled the ball and the Penguins recovered at the 36-yard line. After two big first downs, a 40-yard field goal attempt was blocked by the defensive line. Wofford went three-and-out with the ball back and punted.
The Penguins drove down the field in ten plays and had a drive capped by a five-yard touchdown catch by Isiah Scott to give YSU a 20-16 lead with 1:33 on the clock in the third quarter. Wofford answered with a 13-play drive that covered 75 yards and ended with a six-yard touchdown run by Lorenzo Long. After the PAT, the Terriers had a 23-20 lead with 9:22 left in the fourth quarter.
With the ball back, the Penguins gained three first downs, but had to settle for a 32-yard field goal to tie the game at 23 with 5:04 on the clock. Wofford had one first down before punting and the Penguins took over at the three-yard line. A three-andout and punt gave Wofford the ball at the 43-yard line with 46 seconds left in the fourth quarter. A 53-yard field goal by David Marvin as time expired was short and the game went to overtime.
The Terriers had the ball to begin overtime. They gained one first down, but then were faced with fourth-and-one at the two. The pitch was fumbled and the Penguins took over. On fourth down, a 37-yard field goal was wide right and the game went to a second overtime. The Penguins had the ball first and they gained a first down. A two-yard touchdown run by Tevin McCaster and the PAT gave YSU a 30-23 lead. The Terriers were faced with a 4th and 13 and a pass was incomplete to end the game.