SPORTS
Wildcat Football Preview: Jacksonville
In his last game at Richardson Stadium, Sophomore Wesley Dugger, from Henrico, Va., had a record-setting night for the Wildcats. He scored three TDs, and rushed for 186 yards,
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson returns home for a pair of games beginning Saturday with a Pioneer Football League showdown against Jacksonville University. Kick off from Richardson Stadium is slated for 1 p.m.
THE SERIES
The Wildcats trail the all-time series 6-14 dating back to the first meeting in 1998. The Dolphins ride a 9-game winning streak over the ‘Cats into Saturday’s contest.
TAKE A KID TO THE GAME
Saturday’s tilt with Jacksonville is “Take A Kid to the Game Day.” Kids 18 and under will receive free admission with a paying adult. Members of the Wildcats Kids Club will be on the field pregame to create a cheering tunnel when the team runs onto the field!
LAST TIME OUT
Quarterback Tyler Phelps, from Pensacola Beach, FL, calls for the snap.
Davidson snapped a 17-game PFL losing skid at Valparaiso last weekend, 40-35. The ‘Cats scored on all five of their possessions in the first half, jumping out to a 34-21 halftime lead. Davidson sealed the victory with a 9-play, 75-yard drive capped off by a junior James Story 1-yard scoring scamper with under a minute to play. Sophomore quarterback Tyler Phelps completed 12 of 15 passes for 166 yards and 2 touchdowns. Junior slot receiver William Wicks recorded a career day on the ground, rushing 21 times for 178 yards and a scoring scamper of 36 yards. Sophomore running back Wesley Dugger registered a pair of short yardage touchdowns and churned out 91 yards on 21 carries. Junior linebacker George Hatalowich tied his career high with 12 total tackles, while senior defensive back Nathan Campbell made a key interception on the goal line to help preserve the victory.
SCOUTING THE DOLPHINS
Jacksonville (1-2, 0-1) have dropped two straight including a 41-9 setback to Drake in their PFL opener last Saturday. The ‘Phins are led by the PFL’s leading rusher, quarterback Calvin Turner Jr., who enters the game averaging 127.0 yards per game on the ground. Dakota Trice paces the defensive efforts with 23 stops, while Thomas Oporto has registered 5.0 tackles for loss.
Junior James Story had three carries, including this 40-yard breakaway TD run against Guilford.
LAST TIME THEY MET
Despite scoring the final 3 touchdowns of the day, Davidson could not overcome a 35-0 hole in a 35-21 loss in the Sunshine State last October. Wesley Dugger and Keylan Brown each rushed for 1-yard scores, while William Wicks caught a 14-yard TD strike from Tyler Phelps. Bryce Perry-Martin had a monster day on defense, making 9 stops, 2.0 for loss, and forcing and recovering a fumble.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can connect directly with the Davidson Football staff on Facebook (www.facebook.com/Davidson-Football), Twitter (@DavidsonFB) and Instagram (@DavidsonFootball). Head coach Scott Abell is on Twitter and can be found at @Scott_AbellFB.
LIVE AUDIO AND VIDEO
Play-by-play man Mark Plemmons joins color analyst Michael Fresina to provide live audio streams on its website, DavidsonWildcats.com, for all seven home games this season. All 11 games can be heard online at DavidsonWildcats.com. Fans can hear the Davidson Radio Network on their mobile device by visiting DavidsonWildcats.com or by downloading the TuneInRadioApp.
Jack Benjamin and Ben Rowell ’18 team up to bring you the video stream to the seven home games on DavidsonWildcats.com.
THE COACH’S CORNER
Jack Benjamin hosts The Coach’s Corner with Scott Abell every Monday powered by JJ Wade & Associates. Benjamin will discuss the previous week and meet with guests to give fans an inside look into the Wildcat football program.