Scots pick up four-overtime win over Wesleyan, 50-48

Maryville, TN - Maryville College amassed 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter and used a Justin Price 2-point conversion to steal a 50-48, four-overtime victory over USA South opponent North Carolina Wesleyan in front of a capacity crowd at MC’s Honaker Field on Saturday.  Wesleyan, which led 24-3 going into the fourth quarter, now stands at 2-3 on the season, 1-1 in league play.

The Bishops took an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.  After mounting a fourth-down defensive stand on their own two-yardline, Wesleyan drove 98 yards on nine plays, highlighted by Bryan Haywood’s 24-yard dash for the score. Brian Vaughn added the extra point.

On Maryville’s next possession, quarterback Justin Price had his pass tipped and intercepted by Justin Augustin. The Bishops only managed a yard in four plays, but Vaughn put the Bishops up 10-0 with a 36-yard field goal.

Wesleyan would get the ball one more time before the half, putting together a 6-play, 91-yard drive that ended when Jeremy Robertson sprinted 13 yards for a score. Vaughn added the point after to give the Blue & Gold a 17-0 lead.

MC’s Dustin Locke returned the following kick-off 30-yards to give the Scots solid field position. Maryville drove 46 yards, and Brad Daniel hit a 19-yard field goal with :02 remaining to put the Scots on the board.

The only scoring in the third quarter belonged to the Bishops. With 7:08 remaining in the quarter, Wesleyan posted a 6-play, 71-yard drive that was capped by a Teron Bush 34-yard touchdown jaunt. Vaughn’s kick was good, giving NCWC a 24-3 advantage.

The Scots had three offensive possessions in the final quarter and proceeded to rally with each possession.  After a 39-yard touchdown strike from Price to Harrison Johnson was followed by a Bishop punt, the Scots reached into their bag of tricks and used Sam McCord to connect with Ryan Gaines on a 79-yard pass play. The extra point hit the left cross bar, leaving MC down 24-16.

On the following kick-off the Bishops fumbled and returned only to the 2-yard line. After a three-and out series, MC had great field possession, and Rommel Hightower capped a 49-yard drive with a 6-yard burst into the end-zone. Price added the 2-point conversion with a 2-yard dive and the Scots comeback was official at 24-24.

In the first overtime, Daniel and Vaughn exchanged 40-yard field goals to knot the score at 27-27.  The Bishops used a 7-play drive in the second overtime to re-gain the lead. Townsend scored on a 5-yard run, and Vaughn hit the point after to put the pressure on the Scots offense.

Maryville answered with a 5-play scoring drive that was capped by Price diving into the end-zone from a yard out. Daniel’s kick put the game into a third overtime.

MC would now attempt to put pressure on the Bishop’s offense. The Scots added another 5-play, 25-yard drive as Price scored again. With the extra point option gone after the second overtime, MC went for two and scored on a Rommel Hightower power rush from 2-yards out. Maryville now led for only the second time 42-34.

The Bishops followed with a 3-play, 25-yard drive when Townsend hit Orlando Webb from 8-yards out for the touchdown. Townsend then hooked up with Shelton Leverette for the conversion, sending the game to a fourth overtime.

Townsend hit Brian Haywood on another 8-yard touchdown score to give the Bishops the advantage, but the conversion pass failed, putting the Bishops on top 48-42.

Maryville used a Rommel Hightower 14-yard touchdown run right up the middle to score their final touchdown. Quarterback Justin Price took the 2-point conversion up and over the right side of the end-zone to give Maryville the 50-48 victory.

Wesleyan was led on the ground by Bush, who averaged 6.6 yards a carry en route to a 92-yard performance. Townsend was 19-32 in the air with 213 yards and two scores. He also rushed for 52-yards on 14 carries.

The Scots (2-3, 1-1 USA South) were paced by Hightower’s 72 yards and two touchdowns. Price was 17-26 for 218 yards. He also rushed for 56 yards and two touchdowns. Ryan Gaines pulled in five passes for 149 yards and a score.

The Bishops were paced on defense by the 11-tackle performance of junior Judd Hyde. Eric Craven added five, whilee Andrew Quigley and Jezreel Davis each added four stops apiece.  Maryville was led by Scott Stevens and Matt Price. The duo had 11-tackles each. All-American Colby Townsend added 7 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, and 2 sacks.

Wesleyan will enjoy a bye week before returning to action at home on October 14th versus Averett University.  The game will serve as the Bishops' 2006 Homecoming Game.

This story courtesy of Maryville Sports Information...