SPORTS
Wildcat Football Rally Falls Short Against Marist, 27-21
Freshman Aris Hilliard scored one of the Wildcats touchdowns in the game vs. Marist.
DAVIDSON, N.C. – A Davidson rally fell just short to Pioneer Football League foe Marist at Richardson Stadium Saturday, 27-21.
Trailing 24-7 entering the final frame, the Wildcats put together a pair of scoring drives capped off by Aris Hilliard and Wesley Dugger touchdowns. Hilliard caught a Tyler Phelps, 15-yard reception, while Dugger rushed five yards for his 12th TD in the last four games.
Wesley Dugger rushed for 85 yards in the Wildcats game versus Marist.
For the first-time all-season Davidson trailed to open a game after Marist held the ‘Cats on the opening possession and proceeded to score on their first series – an Austin Day to Sean Gaffney scoring connection.
A young Wildcat fan celebrated his 5th birthday by carrying out the game ball to the officials. The lead official presented him the coin used in the coin toss.
Marist added a field goal in the early second quarter as the Davidson defense held the Red Foxes out of the end zone.
When the ‘Cats finally broke onto the scoreboard it was a highlight reel play as Phelps dropped one in over the shoulder for sophomore Eli Turner Jr. in the end zone to cut into the deficit, 10-7 – the eventual halftime score.
Marist relied on Hunter Cobb to stretch the lead out to 17 with a pair of third quarter scoring scampers before the Wildcats roared back behind the Hilliard and Dugger fourth quarter touchdowns.
The defense held Marist to a late field goal that kept the game within reach helped along by a Bryce Perry-Martin and George Hatalowich tackle for loss and ensuing Red Fox holding penalty.
With one last shot and only 67 ticks remaining on the clock, Phelps used completions to Staples, Connor Richey and Satchel Moore to get into Marist territory before time ran out on the comeback.
Phelps completed 12 of 26 passed for 160 yards and the two scores. Sophomore Jalen Staples hauled in five catches for 48 yards and was a crucial piece in helping Davidson climb back into contention. Davidson rushed for 163 yards powered by 83 from Dugger.
Defensively, senior Tony Collins was in on 13 stops, while Hatalowich recorded 10 total including 2.5 for loss. Entering the game as the PFL’s second ranked player in tackles for loss, Perry-Martin added 2.5 to his season tally, to go along with nine stops. Senior Hunter Murphy got to Day twice including a monster solo sack, his first since freshman year.
Up Next
Davidson returns to Richardson Saturday, Nov. 2 for the penultimate home game featuring PFL foe, Valparaiso. Kick off with the Crusaders is slated for 1 p.m.