SPORTS
Football Set for Home Opener Against Shaw
The Wildcats, locked arm-in-arm, entering the field at Jacksonville State University in their 2021 post-season appearance. This weekend they return to Richardson season for their Fall 2021 home opener.
DAVIDSON, N.C. – Davidson will open its home slate on Saturday, Sept. 11 at 7 p.m. against the Shaw Bears at Smith Field inside Richardson Stadium.
Saturday’s game, the 20th anniversary of 9/11, is Davidson’s annual Hometown Heroes Game. Active or retired military, law enforcement, first responders, and healthcare workers can claim up to four free tickets for their family with an ID at the gameday box office.
Additionally, the first 500 fans will receive a PFL Champions commemorative rally towel and the first 250 students will receive a t-shirt for the launch of Davidson’s new football student section, The Jungle.
| WEEK 2 – DAVIDSON vs. SHAW |
| Date | Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 | |
| Kickoff | 7:00 P.M. | |
| Location | Davidson, N.C. | |
| Stadium | Smith Field at Richardson Stadium | |
| Capacity | 4,741 | |
| Game Notes | Davidson | PFL | Shaw | |
| #HashTag | #WE #TAC #CatsAreWild | |
| Live Stats | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Live Audio | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| Live Video | DavidsonWildcats.com | |
| The Coach’s Corner | Episode 2 | |
| Social Media | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook |
THE SERIES
This is the first-ever matchup between the Wildcats (0-1) and the Shaw Bears (0-1).
LAST TIME OUT
Davidson is looking ahead to Saturday’s game and move past a 45-24 loss to 17th-ranked VMI. Despite the setback, Davidson edged VMI in total yards, 336-333 and outrushed the Keydets 260 yards to 162.
Senior running back Coy Williams led the Wildcats offensively against the Keydets, rushing for 80 yards and recording a touchdown. Davidson saw a two-man effort at quarterback from redshirt senior Louis Colosimo and sophomore Elijah Burrell, who completed all seven of his passes for 71 yards. His longest was a 23-yard strike to sophomore wide receiver Clarence Freeman IV.
The ‘Cats had three different players score on the ground Saturday, Williams, sophomore slot receiver Mark McCurdy and junior running back Bernard Turner, Jr.
Defensively, seniors Tyreece White and Tyler Solomon recorded sacks for the Wildcats while senior linebackers Jalen Jefferson and Jake Alexandercombined for 17 total tackles. In addition, junior cornerback Quentin James snagged his first-career interception.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
Davidson Football is fresh off its first-ever PFL Championship from the non-conventional 2021 spring football season. The title marked the first conference championship for Davidson in 52 years and first under Abell, the 2021 PFL Coach of the Year. The fourth-year head coach sits ninth in program history in all-time wins and was also named a finalist for the prestigious 34th Eddie Robinson Award.
The Wildcats were selected to finish atop the conference in the PFL preseason coaches poll for the first time. Davidson earned 97 of 100 available points, including eight first place votes. Last season’s 4-1 conference record saw Davidson snap San Diego’s 39-game conference win streak.
Davidson running backs Dylan Sparks and Coy Williams, offensive lineman Khalil Miller, linebacker Jake Alexander and PFL Defensive Freshman of the Year Jonathan Hammond were tabbed to the preseason All-PFL team. Additionally, a record 12 Wildcats were named to Phil Steele’s Preseason All-PFL team.
SCOUTING THE BEARS
This past weekend, the Bears played their first game since Nov. 9, 2019 as last season was canceled due to COVID-19. In 2019, Shaw finished the season with a 6-4 record, posting a 5-2 finish in CIAA conference play, ending the season on a four-game winning streak. Shaw had not seen a better overall or conference season since 2013 and 2011.
Shaw is coming into Saturday’s game off a 30-7 loss against #24 Wingate. Their lone touchdown was a 59-yard run by sophomore quarterback Christian Peters. Coming off the bench, Peters completed 10 of 14 passes for 59 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Ah’shaan Belcher led the Bears in receiving with three catches for 29 yards.
Adrian Jones is entering his fifth season leading the Bears after being put in charge to turn around a program that finished 1-9 in 2015 around. Jones made the move to Shaw after two years at North Carolina Central University, his alma mater. As a student-athlete, Jones earned First Team All-CIAA and Second Team All-South Region honors as a junior.
SOCIAL MEDIA
Fans can connect directly with Davidson Football 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.
THE COACH’S CORNER
Be sure to check out The Coach’s Corner with Scott Abell every Monday powered by Atrium Health. Coach Abell will discuss the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming opponent, giving fans an inside look into the Wildcat football program.
ON DECK
The Wildcats take on the San Diego Toreros on Sept. 25 in their conference opener and quest to repeat as PFL Champions. Kickoff is slated for noon ET.