NCWC football falls at Hampden-Sydney to open season, 55-23

Hampden-Sydney, VA - In Saturday afternoon's 2009 season opener, Hampden-Sydney College defeated North Carolina Wesleyan by a 55-23 score in front of over 2,500 fans at Lewis C. Everett Stadium. The Tigers scored 27 unanswered points in the second quarter to pull away for a 41-3 halftime lead, and although the Battling Bishops (0-1) rebounded to out-score their opponents 20-14 in the second half, it would not be enough as HSC cruised to a 1-0 start to the season. 

The Tigers scored early and often, taking a 14-0 lead after just five minutes of play thanks to a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Corey Sedlar.  Wesleyan got on the board late in the first quarter on a 23-yard Kevin Quicker field goal that came after a recovered a fumble inside the HSC 10-yardline.

Up 14-3 entering the second period, Sedlar struck again with two more TD passes and a one-yard TD run. Those game-changing 21 points sandwiched a pair of David Prizzia field goals for a 41-3 Tiger lead heading into the break.

Wesleyan showed some life in the second half as quarterback Bo Jordan hit senior wideout Orlando Webb with a 55-yard touchdown strike on the Bishops' opening drive.  Unfortunately, the Tigers countered with a 13-yard Kyle Vance reception to end any thoughts of a comeback.

Jordan went on to record TD passes to freshman Devontae Atkins and junior LaQwan Brodie, while Hampden-Sydney's final score came on 14-yard rush by Evan King.

Sedlar finished 27-of-38 for 404 yards and four touchdowns to pace the Tigers, while as a team, HSC amassed 628 yards of offense on the day.  For Wesleyan, Jordan completed 18-of-29 attempts for 192 yards and three TDs.  Webb also had a productive day for the Bishops, hauling in six receptions for 133 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, NCWC freshman James Wallace led all players with eight tackles followed by HSC's Thomas Hovis with seven.

Wesleyan returns to action next weekend when the Bishops host Salisbury University in the 2009 home opener at the Northern Nash Football Complex. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. and will feature both live statistics and live webcasting.