maurice warren
Urbana Athletics
21
Winner URBANA URBANA 2-2 , 1-2
7
WVWC WVWC 2-2 , 2-2
Winner
URBANA URBANA
2-2 , 1-2
21
Final
7
WVWC WVWC
2-2 , 2-2
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
URBANA URBANA 0 7 14 0 21
WVWC WVWC 0 0 7 0 7

Game Recap: Football | | @UrbanaU_Sports

Warren's Career Day Leads UU Past Wesleyan, 21-7

Box Score

BUCKHANNON, W. Va. – Maurice Warren Jr. (Cincinnati, Ohio, La Salle) rushed for a career-high 171 yards and scored his first career touchdown to help lead Urbana football past West Virginia Wesleyan Saturday at Cebe Ross Field, 21-7.

UU improved to 2-2 overall while earning its first Mountain East Conference win (1-2 MEC). The Blue Knights have now won back-to-back games for the first time since Nov. 8, 2014, which was the last time UU defeated Wesleyan. The Bobcats dropped to 2-2 on the year (2-2 MEC).

The big road win is also the fastest to two victories by a UU squad since 2013.

Warren led the ground attack with 5.3 yards per carry, as UU dominated the Bobcats with 250 rushing yards. The Blue Knights are now 17-3 since 2010 when recording 200-plus yards on the ground.

After a slow start on both sides, UU took a 7-0 lead just before halftime after a Tajuan Green to Rodell Rahmaan connection went 40 yards to the house. The sophomore wideout has now caught a touchdown in three straight outings.

Trevon Saunders kept his touchdown streak going with an 18-yard score on the opening drive after the break to put UU ahead 14-0. It was Saunders' 28th career TD catch and he only needs three more to break the all-time school record.

Then, Wesleyan responded by scoring on the next drive with a successful fake punt play, but UU countered again by moving down the field and capping the final scoring drive of the contest with Warren's five-yard jaunt.

UU outgained WVWC 373-181, while the Blue Knight defense put up stellar numbers.

The Blue Knights held the Bobcats to zero net rushing yards at halftime, and overall, UU limited the hosts to only one third-down conversion (14 attempts) and six first downs for the game.

Duray Hall registered three sacks while Clayton Bullard had two and Mikal Toliver had one for a season-high six as a team. The Blue Knights have posted 18 sacks in four games. In the secondary, Sherman Watson had two breakups while Richie Carpenter Jr. and Roman Sneed also knocked down a pass attempt.

Stat of the game:
UU totaled 24 first downs behind an overpowering effort on the ground, while the Blue Knight defense allowed only six first downs by Wesleyan.

Turning point:
The momentum shifted to UU's favor after scoring right away on the first possession after halftime (Saunders TD). The scoring drive took over four minutes off the clock and covered 65 yards on nine plays.

Another crucial moment came late in the game. With under five minutes to pay, UU fumbled and a Wesleyan defender scooped up the ball and had an open field for the return. But, Shemar Hooks chased down the play and knocked the ball from Wesleyan which led to UU re-gaining possession.

It was over when:
Toliver took down Wesleyan quarterback Ryan Deal for a loss of 10 yards on a third down play with a minute left in the game.

What they said:
"We've got to be able to run the ball and play great defense to win football games, and that's what we've been doing," said head coach Tyler Haines. "Since the very beginning of camp that's what we've focused on."

Haines on running back Maurice Warren Jr.:
"Mo is 100 percent heart. Obviously, he's got talent, he's fast, and he's got great hands. But, he knows the offense and gives 100-percent effort all the time. I'm proud of those guys (Warren & Ja'Vahri Portis), they run hard and when there's the slightest hole possible they're hitting it at 100 miles-per-hour."

Up next:
UU will have a short week with the first night game at UU Stadium set for Thursday against Charleston. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. with tailgating starting up at 5:30 p.m.

Follow @UrbanaU_Sports on Twitter and check out UUBlueKnights.com for all the latest coverage of UU Athletics.

 
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