Reinhardt Eagles (2-3) vs. Union Bulldogs (1-2)
Ken White Field Waleska, Ga
Saturday October 4, 2014
Kickoff at 12:00pm EST
Written By: Brooke Thomas and Lauren Mullinax
It is homecoming weekend in Waleska where the Reinhardt Eagles (2-3, 1-1) look to take down the Bulldogs of Union College (1-2, 1-0). Both teams are coming off big Mid-South Conference wins last weekend.
Reinhardt tamed the Wildcats of Bethel University 65-38 with two Reinhardt players setting records in a contest that was literally one for the books. For a while, the game was actually closer than the score indicated. Bethel returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, but RU responded with a Johnathon Chamblee to Aaron Kennedy 20-yard touchdown pass to even the score at seven. After Reinhardt’s defense forced a punt the Eagles took advantage of good field position as running back Ian McIntosh scored the first of his two 1st Quarter touchdown runs to put the Eagles in the lead 14-7. The Eagles converted a Bethel turnover into points near the end of the quarter when McIntosh punched in his second touchdown run making the score 21-7 to end the first period of play.
Reinhardt’s defense forced another turnover to start the second stanza, leading to a nine-play drive and a Deonte Dennis 1-yard touchdown run, stretching the lead 28-7. Bethel answered, and the teams traded touchdowns to make the score 35-14. Late in the half, RU kick coverage again got burned when Bethel returned a second kickoff for a touchdown. At the half, Reinhardt led 35-21.
Both offenses continued to click in the second half, and two Reinhardt Eagles set school records. Running back L.J. Stegall ran for a season best 152 yards, and became Reinhardt’s first ever 1,000- yard rusher. Wide receiver Aaron Kennedy grabbed 13 passes for 172 yards receiving (a program best for both categories). Head Coach Danny Cronic commented on the win by saying, “I’m happy with the win, and I’m happy with the points we put on the board, but I know that we can still be much better than this. I feel like we can do better defensively, but offensively, we really only had one blemish today.”
The Eagles take on Union College, and the Bulldogs are fresh from an incredible comeback 28-27 upset victory against no. 11 Cumberlands University. The Bulldogs played their first night game in Barbourville, Kentucky since 1931 as they took on one of their biggest rivalries, the Cumberlands Patriots in the “Battle for the Brass Lantern.” Union’s head coach Zak Willis gave credit to the Patriots for their class and integrity after the game, and said, “It’s too bad both teams couldn’t win, but I’m glad we did.”
The game was a grueling battle as both teams juggled the lead throughout. Going into the half the Bulldogs and Patriots were tied up 14-14. After a stagnant 3rd quarter with no scores from either team, the game came down to a demanding 4th quarter. Minutes into the final frame, Union scored a touchdown when offensive lineman Andy Flynn recovered a fumbled football in the end zone and turned the lead to 20-14. After a missed extra point by Union, Cumberlands quickly found its way back after QB Randy Maynard ran in a touchdown to tie the score 20-20. Cumberlands’ Joe Rose added another point after his extra point kick and changed the score 21-20, Patriots on top.
With 3:05 to go in the 4th, Bulldog LaVance Anderson ran a 35-yard touchdown to flip the lead to 26-21. The Bulldogs decided to go for a two-point play as QB Chandler Wittlesey connected a pass to Kevin Coney in the end zone to make the game 28-21. Cumberlands then scored with 1:18 to go in the final and made it a one-point game. Looking for the victory, the Patriots fell short with an unsuccessful two-point play. Final score: Union 28 Cumberlands 27.
With both the Eagles and Bulldogs coming off great wins, confidence will be high when the teams meet on homecoming weekend in Waleska at Ken White Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 pm, in Waleska, GA.
Be sure to check out the Homecoming events that will take place before, during halftime, and after the game.
For more information about homecoming go to http://www.reinhardt.edu/Current-Students/Student_Activities/Get-Involved/Student-Activities-Council/homecoming.html