The heat was turned up Saturday in Campbellsville, Ky., and it wasn’t just because of Shorter’s running game.
Hawks’ running back Raymone Nesbitt broke the 100-yard barrier and Shorter College continued its dominance on the ground to beat Campbellsville University 28-7 in the Hawks’ Mid-South Conference opener.
“Our kids played really hard,” Shorter coach Phil Jones said. “It was a physical battle and we’re just very happy to be 1-0 in our division.”
The win, Shorter’s second in a row, gives them a 1-0 record in the Mid-South’s Western Division and puts the Hawks’ overall mark at 3-1, matching their best start in the program’s three-year history.
For their game against MSC West Division opponent Campbellsville, the Hawks had to battle the Tigers as well as higher than average temperatures.
“It was a hot day and I’m sure that took its toll on both teams,” Jones said.
Taking off once again on the strength of their ground game, Shorter rushed for 366 yards on their way to 447 yards of total offense.
The Hawks built a 20-0 lead through the first three quarters, keeping the Tigers from scoring until 47 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Nesbitt totaled 106 yards on 11 carries, becoming the first Shorter player to pass the century mark this season, and the Hawks picked up 19 first downs and over 300 yards of offense in the first half.
However, penalties and turnovers limited their production and Shorter headed to the locker room at half time up just 14-0.
“It was just frustrating and we felt like we could have taken care of business earlier and we didn’t,” Jones said.
Campbellsville (0-3, 0-1) got its passing game on a roll later on but the Hawks prevented them from gaining any more ground.
A.J. Cooley ran the ball in for a pair of one-yard touchdowns, his last one coming on a one-yard run with 7:47 left in the game that came as a result of the second of two interceptions by A.J. Baker.
Sharod Kimble took the ball in on a two-point conversion and Shorter controlled the clock until the final buzzer sounded.
Pierre Toran picked up the two other scores for the Hawks on runs of one and two yards and kicker Lukas Gonzalez was 2-for-3 on extra points.
“We’re just thankful,” Jones said. “We want to give God the glory for what we do and we’re proud to represent Shorter and Rome, Ga.”
The Hawks will be back at Barron Stadium next Saturday for their homecoming game at 1 p.m. against Union (Ky.), an East Division foe.
|
No Related links found
|
