Scots Late "Burst" Not Enough Against Shenandoah

MARYVILLE -- Maryville College freshman quarterback Melvin Burston led the Scots on a strong second half surge to allow the Scots to tie a game dominated statistically by Shenandoah University. With 2:27 remaining the hometown Hornets finished off an eight-play, 70 yard scoring drive to give Shenandoah University a 28-21 USA South victory.

The first half of the challenge was simply dominated by the Hornet offense. As Shenandoah accumulated 298 total offensive yards and 19 first downs while eating up 21 minutes of possession time in the first half, Maryville could only manage a single first down and two total offensive yards.

On the first possession of the game Shenandoah used the steady rushing attack of Brad Martz to march 14 plays and 58 yards for over seven minutes, but the Scots defense rose to the occasion stopping the Hornets on downs on the MC 15 yard line.

MC's offense could not get rolling and punter R.J. Sandmeyer deposited an amazing 72 yard punt to the Hornet 10 yard line.

The Hornets would put together another sustained drive featuring Martz and the left arm of quarterback Daniel Wright. Eight plays later, Wright connected with Qiydaar Murphy from 31 yards out for the first score of the game capping the 90-yard drive. Andrew Lloyd's kick made the score 7-0 as the first quarter was just about to expire.

Maryville could not move the ball on their second possession and a punt deep in their own territory was set to close out the first period. Sandmeyer could not handle the snap and Shenandoah had the ball on the Maryville 14 yard line to begin the second quarter.

The Hornet gave the ball to Martz and he promptly scampered 14 yards for the score. Lloyd's kick put the Hornets up by a pair of scores 14-0 with 14:40 remaining before the half.

The Scots managed their only first down of the half on their next possession with a Tim Conner completion to Ryan Roach. As the possession stalled, Maryville pinned the Hornets deep in their territory with a strong punt.

Shenandoah soon connected on a 56 yard flea-flicker and the hometown squad was knocking on the door to score once again. The eight play, 85 yard drive was finished when Wright hit Rico Wallace on a fade to the left side of the end zone for a one-yard passing score. Lloyd's kick made the score 21-0.

The Hornet compiled an 11-play, 49 yard drive in their next possession. As they were attempting to score, Maryville senior Bud Christy picked off Wright in the end zone and returned it to the Scots' 21 yard line. The pick was Christy's 14 career interception setting a new career mark for the Scots.

As the half came to a close, the Hornets took a 21-0 lead to the locker room.

Maryville's staff made numerous adjustments at the intermission and the Scots came out of the break with something to prove.

In their first possession, Burston took over the signal calling for the Scots. He promptly connected for 54 passing yards on a trio of completions to Wesley Idlette, Zach Bledsoe, and Blake Williams. His Scots converted a pair of key third down plays to put MC in scoring position. This 11-play, 65 yard drive was finished when Burston hit pay dirt from five yards out on a designed run. Andrew Noboa's kick made the score 21-7 with over 26 minutes to play.

Shenandoah's offense continued to eat up time and yardage. A 13-play, 50 yard drive put them in position for another score on their first second half possession. MC's Jacob Berwind stepped in front of a Wright pass toward the end zone and stalled another Hornet sustained drive.

Maryville went three and out on the next series, but their defense rose to the occasion to conclude the third quarter. As the hornets faced a 4th down and three, Maryville forced a loss on the play and MC had the ball on their own 41 yard line.

Burston manufactured another key scoring drive in just over three minutes. The eight-play, 61 yard drive put the Scots in the end zone when Burston hit Idlette with a 4-yard fade in the back right of the end zone for the touchdown. The score was Idlette's 21st career reception touchdown eclipsing Maryville career mark of Mike Butler set in 1973. Noboa's kick made the score 21-14 and MC began feeling that they were in striking distance with 11:20 left in the game.

Maryville defense held Shenandoah and forced them to punt for the first time in the game at the 9:14 mark. The Hornets downed the ball at MC's two-yard line and the Scots had 98 yards to march for a score.

A strong rushing surge and key completions to Williams and Idlette put Maryville in Shenandoah territory. On a pass play, Burston scrambled and took advantage of a seam on the left side to dash 34 yards for a score. The nine play, 98 yard drive left 6:13 on the clock but the score was tied at 21-21.

Shenandoah finished off the scoring when they marched down 70 yards on their next possession. As MC was plugging their running effort, the Hornet got Kyle Feldman behind the Scots secondary and Wright hit him for a 36 yard score. The PAT was good and Shenandoah would stop MC on their last effort to secure the 28-21 victory.

Shenandoah (3-3, 2-1 USA South) was led on the ground by Brad Martz. Martz tallied 191 yards on 41 carries averaging 4.7 yards a carry. Daniel Wright was 15-23 for 246 passing yards. He finished with three touchdown passes and a pair of interceptions. Rico Wallace was his favorite target. He hauled in six passes for 113 yards.

Maryville (1-5, 1-2 USA South) saw Melvin Burston accumulate 155 passing yards on a 10-for-21 effort while running for 64 yards on 13 carries. Blake Williams and Wesley Idlette each pulled down four passes for a collective 117 yards. Defensively, Julian Keen recorded a game-high 15 total tackles. Dakota Crews finished with 14 stops while Blake Barnes had 11 tackles.

The Scots will return to action next Saturday when Homecoming comes to the foothills. MC will host Averett University with the kick-off slated for 2:00 p.m.

Source: Maryville College Athletics Department

Published October 16, 2011