SPORTS
Davidson Football Takes Down San Diego, 28-16
Eli Turner Jr. knows how to celebrate after scoring a touchdown.
Check out our News of Davidson game day album of photos.
DAVIDSON — The Davidson Wildcats started Pioneer Football League play with a splash and a second straight win over long-time league power San Diego, earning a 28-16 victory at Richardson Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Wildcats improved to 2-1 overall, while holding San Diego (0-4) to one touchdown and two third-down conversions on 10 attempts.
Prior to the Wildcats’ 31-25 win at San Diego last season, the Toreros had won 39 straight conference games and at least a piece of six straight PFL titles.
Davidson took over in the second half Saturday, pulling ahead 14-9 in the third quarter when sophomore slot Mark McCurdy scored on a 4-yard run to cap an 11-play, 75-yard drive. The go-ahead score was set up by a 34-yard pass from Louis Colosimo to Eli Turner Jr., to inside the 5.
The Wildcats extended their lead early in the fourth, when Turner ran for a five-yard score to end a four-play, 50-yard drive. Turner’s scoring run came two plays after he found receiver Jalen Staples on a 34-yard halfback pass play to the San Diego 5.
Later in the quarter, a 24-yard touchdown pass from Colosimo to Turner put the ‘Cats up 28-16 with just under three minutes left in the game. An interception from sophomore cornerback Jordan Burrell on the first play of San Diego’s drive with 2:28 to go sealed the deal for Davidson.
The Wildcats outgained San Diego 367-205 in total yards and recorded three rushing touchdowns. The Wildcat defense featured sacks by Jonathan Hammond and Yusef Thomas for a combined loss of 14 yards.
San Diego led much of the first half, scoring four minutes into the game on a 13-yard run by Emilio Martinez.
Running back Dylan Sparks provided the spark for the Wildcat offense shortly into the second quarter, tying the game at 7-7 after a 16-play, 83-yard march that ate up 8:55 of clock.
San Diego pulled ahead at the 8:59 mark of the second quarter, when they sacked Colosimo and secured the 9-7 lead they held at the half. The Toreros had a chance to extend their lead in the second, but Brandon Eickert’s 35-yard field goal attempt hit the right upright and missed.
NEXT UP
Davidson travels to Deland, Fla. to take on Stetson in a Saturday afternoon matchup on Oct. 2.