Wesleyan football shuts out Shenandoah, 30-0

Winchester, VA - North Carolina Wesleyan ruined Shenandoah University's homecoming on Saturday afternoon, earning a 30-0 USA South Conference victory in front of 2,534 fans at Shentel Stadium. The Bishops (3-4, 2-2 USA South) got all of the offense they would need on the opening possession of the game when Brian Vaughn (pictured) converted a 32-yard field goal.  The Blue & Gold defense did the rest and went on to record the first shutout in NCWC football history, allowing just 118 total yards on the day.

NCWC made it 10-0 with 2:03 left in the first when quarterback Cedric Townsend capped a five-play, 80-yard drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.  Freshman running back Teron Bush, the reigning USA South Conference Offensive Rookie of the Week, had put his club in position to score two plays prior when he ripped off a 64-yard run to the SU 8.

Bryan Haywood gave the Blue & Gold a 16-0 lead at intermission with a 9-yard TD run early in the second quarter.

The first half proved to be an omen of things to come for the Hornets as Townsend finished the day 10-of-29 for 180 yards through the air, while tacking on another 84 yards rushing on 12 carries. He also scored the final touchdown of the game at the 12:34 mark of the fourth.

Bush had just 15 carries, but gained 171 yards as he paced the visitors to 19 first downs and 521 yards in total offense.  The 171 yards on the ground marks the second highest individual single-game total in program history.

One week after putting out its best offense of the 2006 season, the Hornets struggled to just 118 yards on 52 plays. Junior Paul Diggs had nearly half of these yards with 54 on 16 carries.  The Hornets deepest penetration of the day came on their final possession of the game when they reached the Wesleyan 42-yardline.

Wesleyan continues USA South play next weekend when they return to Rocky Mount to host Christopher Newport University on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.

Parts of this story are courtesy of SU Sports Information...