NEWBERRY, S.C. – In a rain-soaked battle for the Bishops' Trophy, Newberry College fought until the final possession but came up just short against Lenoir-Rhyne, falling 21-14 Saturday night at Setzler Field.
Defense dominated the opening half as neither team was able to break through on the scoreboard. The Wolves had an opportunity to take the lead in the closing minute of the second quarter, but their field goal attempt was blocked, giving Lenoir-Rhyne favorable field position. Newberry's defense immediately answered. On the second play of the ensuing Bears possession, Santory Jones read the quarterback and hauled in his first interception of the season, keeping the game scoreless heading into halftime.
The Wolves finally broke the deadlock four and a half minutes into the third quarter. Tyleke Mathis found a crease off the right side and broke free for a 21-yard touchdown run, giving Newberry a 7-0 advantage.
Lenoir-Rhyne responded after forcing a Newberry turnover, connecting on a 51-yard touchdown pass to even the game at 7-7. The defenses took over once again from there, sending the contest into the fourth quarter still tied. The Bears grabbed their first lead early in the fourth, finding the end zone to move ahead 14-7. Lenoir-Rhyne then forced another turnover and capitalized on the ensuing possession, extending its advantage to 21-7.
Newberry refused to go away. On the Wolves' next possession, quarterback Mason Kidd provided a spark with one of the biggest plays of the night. Kidd broke a tackle before racing 47 yards down the middle of the field, eventually being brought down at the Lenoir-Rhyne 11-yard line.
Two plays later, Jonah Norris took a handoff straight up the middle and powered into the end zone for his first touchdown of the season, cutting the Bears' lead to 21-14 and bringing the Wolves back within one score.
Newberry's defense gave the offense one final opportunity, and the Wolves took possession with under a minute remaining looking to send the game to overtime. Facing fourth-and-nine with the game on the line, Kidd dropped back and looked downfield, but his pass narrowly sailed beyond the reach of the intended receiver, allowing Lenoir-Rhyne to hold on for the 21-14 victory and the Bishops' Trophy.
The Wolves will hit the road for the first time this season next week, traveling to face Wingate on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 6 p.m.
