w.r. sanders jr
Urbana Athletics
20
Charleston UC 1-1 , 1-1
28
Winner Urbana URBANA 2-0 , 2-0
Charleston UC
1-1 , 1-1
20
Final
28
Urbana URBANA
2-0 , 2-0
Winner
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
UC Charleston 13 7 0 0 20
URBANA Urbana 7 7 14 0 28

Game Recap: Football | | Urbana Athletic Communications

W.R. Sanders Jr. Scores Four TD's in Debut

URBANA, Ohio – In his first game as a Blue Knight, transfer running back W.R. Sanders Jr. tied the school's single-game record with four touchdowns to help Urbana University (2-0, 2-0 MEC) overcome a 13-point deficit in Thursday's 28-20 win over the University of Charleston (1-1, 1-1 MEC).

Sanders became the first running back in school history with four rushing touchdowns with runs of 4, 2, 5 and 68 yards. He also tied a Mountain East Conference individual game record for most rushing touchdowns. Former star quarterback DJ Mendenhall rushed for four scores in 2010, while former wide receivers Marc Burr and Trevon Saunders each had one game with four touchdown receptions.

After UU trailed 20-7 early, Sanders scored just before halftime and again right after intermission to put the Blue Knights ahead. With UU clinging to the 21-20 advantage late in the third quarter, Charleston missed a 49-yard field goal, and on the next play, Sanders broke free up the middle and dashed down the UC sideline for a 68-yard score to put the Blue Knights ahead 28-20 on his record-setting touchdown. The run included a key block down field from Jesse Bray that wiped out two defenders.

 
Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth as the veteran UU defense stepped up multiple times with its back against the wall, including four straight stops deep in Blue Knight territory to end the game.

With 13 minutes remaining, senior Onajai Davenport picked off a third-down pass in the red zone. But, the momentum was short-lived after a three-and-out by the UU offense.

The defense remained aggressive though, and stood tall when senior Jamari Collins blocked a 39-yard field goal attempt with 7:39 left. The Golden Eagles got the ball back again and rapidly picked up two first downs to reach the UU 20, where the drive stalled and UC turned it over on downs. Senior Justice Alexander made the big play of the drive with a chasedown sack on third down.

UU took over the final drive with 3:45 left and picked up a first down on third-and-three play to seal the win.

The Blue Knights won their fourth straight over the Golden Eagles while improving to 5-0 in home night games.

UU outgained UC 396-247 while limiting the Golden Eagles to 11 net rushing yards for the game. UU rushed for 172 total yards, led by Sanders' 110 on 13 carries.

Sophomore wide receiver Rafael Floyd recorded a career-high 90 yards on seven catches. Senior quarterback Eddie Stockett went 19 of 28 (67.9%) through the air for 224 yards.

The Blue Knights overcame two lost fumbles and an interception, as two of those turnovers led directly to UC's 13 points (missed XP) in the first quarter. The Golden Eagles quickly took the lead by scoring on three of their four opening drives. Those three scoring drives happened on a combined total of eight plays.

UC quarterback Brant Grisel, fresh off a record-setting performance, connected with wide receiver Tremaine Ross on two passing TD's in the first quarter from distances of 32 and 29 yards. Grisel then found his primary target Mike Strachan for a 28-yard strike with 14:20 in the second quarter. The senior signal caller finished 19 of 26 for 236 yards with 13 completions going to Strachan (146 yds).

With the Eagles moving ahead by two scores, UU responded with a methodical 11-play, 44-yard drive that took more than three minutes and was capped by Sanders' second TD.

The Blue Knights dominated time of possession (36:09) and converted 6 of 14 third-down attempts. Three of the four scoring drives featured at least nine plays.

On defense, senior linebacker Duray Hall led with 13 total tackles (6 solo) and had two tackles-for-loss. Senior corner Sherman Watson and junior linebacker LA Kelly each had seven tackles. Junior lineman Wendell Wheeler collected his first career sack.

UP NEXT: Urbana will travel to Wheeling University next Thursday, Sept. 19 for 7 p.m. kickoff at Bishop Schmitt Field.

WU (0-2) is coming off a 53-10 setback at Fairmont State. The Cardinals are in their first year as a varsity program.

 
 
 
 
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