Tigers' second half comeback falls short against Bethany

Box Score SEWANEE, Tenn. – Na'Zaiyah Holman caught three passes for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while Na'Shawn Holman added a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown and a 27-yard receiving score, but Sewanee's comeback bid came up just short as Bethany defeated the Tigers, 40-37, Saturday afternoon at Historic McGee Field-Harris Stadium.

The Tigers (0-1) trailed 27-3 at halftime before scoring three touchdowns in the second half to pull within three points with 3:05 remaining. Bethany (1-0) answered by converting a fourth-and-one from the Sewanee 42-yard line to run out the clock and secure the victory.

Sewanee scored 21 points in the fourth quarter, with Ean Cox recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown before Holman caught a 41-yard touchdown pass from Cam Beasley to pull the Tigers within 34-31 with 9:44 remaining. Bethany responded with a 30-yard touchdown pass from Brett Phillips to Jacob Burns, but the Tigers answered again when Beasley connected with Na'Shawn Holman for a 27-yard touchdown with 3:05 to play.

The Tigers attempted an onside kick following the touchdown, but Bethany recovered at its own 49-yard line. The Tornados converted a fourth-and-one when Anthony Stallworth broke free for a 37-yard gain to the Sewanee five, allowing Bethany to run out the clock.

Sewanee totaled 274 yards of offense, including 184 through the air and 90 on the ground. Beasley completed 10-of-37 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing 13 times for 34 yards. Maddox Franklin completed his only pass attempt for 38 yards and a touchdown to Na'Zaiyah Holman.

Na'Zaiyah Holman led the Tigers with three receptions for 97 yards and two touchdowns, while Na'Shawn Holman caught four passes for 53 yards and a touchdown. Na'Shawn also returned two punts for 77 yards, including his 72-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

Defensively, Isaiah Copeland led all Sewanee defenders with 15 tackles, including nine solo stops and two tackles for loss, while Brody Sanderson recorded nine tackles and recovered a fumble. Michael Showalter added seven tackles, and Benji Tidwell and James Gibbs each finished with six tackles.

Bethany opened the scoring with a 12-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Anthony Stallworth's two-yard touchdown run with 9:17 left in the first quarter. Sewanee answered with a 24-yard field goal from Levi Dorsey with 7:10 to play, cutting the deficit to 7-3.

The Tornados extended their lead late in the opening quarter when Stallworth scored on a seven-yard run with 2:01 remaining. Bethany then took advantage of a Sewanee interception, as Brett Phillips broke free for an 83-yard touchdown run with 44 seconds left in the period to make it 20-3.

Bethany added another touchdown late in the second quarter when Stallworth scored on an eight-yard run with 1:52 remaining, sending the Tornados into halftime with a 27-3 advantage.

Sewanee came out of the locker room with a quick response. On the first play of the second half, Franklin connected with Na'Zaiyah Holman for a 38-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 27-9.

The Tigers' special teams then delivered another big play. After Bethany's punt early in the third quarter, Na'Shawn Holman fielded the kick and raced 72 yards for a touchdown, with Dorsey's extra point pulling Sewanee within 27-16.

Sewanee's defense kept the Tigers in striking distance when Stallworth fumbled after being hit by Copeland, with Hunter Broyles recovering for Sewanee at the Bethany 42-yard line. The Tigers drove to the Bethany 9, but a fourth-down interception ended the threat.

Sewanee's defense forced another turnover to open the fourth quarter, as Showalter recovered a Stallworth fumble at the Bethany four-yard line. After an incompletion, Barton Mixon carried the ball into the end zone but fumbled at the goal line. Cox recovered the loose ball for the touchdown, and Beasley added the successful two-point conversion to make it 27-24 with 14:35 to play.

Bethany responded with a five-play, 14-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run from Phillips, pushing the lead back to 34-24 with 12:04 remaining.

The Tigers answered immediately. Beasley broke loose for a 17-yard run to midfield, and a lateral from Hayner to Trevon Garden covered 22 yards to move Sewanee into Bethany territory. After the Tigers faced a third-and-20, Beasley found Na'Zaiyah Holman for a 41-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to 34-31 with 9:44 remaining.

Bethany's next possession ended in a punt, giving Sewanee another opportunity, but the Tigers were forced to punt after a sack and an incompletion.

The Tornados then struck quickly when Phillips connected with Burns for a 30-yard touchdown with 6:21 remaining, restoring a nine-point advantage at 40-31.

Sewanee responded with a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Beasley converted a fourth-and-two with a seven-yard run, then connected with Na'Zaiyah Holman for an 18-yard completion to move the Tigers across midfield. After a pass interference penalty moved Sewanee to the Bethany 27, Beasley found Na'Shawn Holman for the 27-yard touchdown with 3:05 remaining.

The extra point was blocked, leaving Sewanee down 40-37, and the Tigers recovered their own kickoff attempt after the ball traveled to the Bethany 49. However, the Tornados' Stallworth converted the decisive fourth-down play, breaking a 37-yard run to the Sewanee five-yard line. Bethany then took three knees to close out the game.

Sewanee will return to action next Saturday at Brevard with a 1 PM ET/Noon CT start.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#1 Cam Beasley: QB; 6' 1"; Junior

#2 Isaiah Copeland: LB; 5' 10"; Senior

#65 Ean Cox: OL; 6' 2"; Senior

#43 Levi Dorsey: K/P; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#11 Trevon Garden: WR; 5' 10"; Sophomore

#12 Barton Mixon: RB; 6' 1"; Sophomore

#32 Brody Sanderson: LB; 5' 10"; Senior

#28 Benji Tidwell: DB; 5' 11"; Senior

#95 Michael Showalter: DL; 6' 2"; Senior

#94 Hunter Broyles: DL; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Cam Beasley
: 6' 1"; Junior
: QB

#2 Isaiah Copeland
: 5' 10"; Senior
: LB

#65 Ean Cox
: 6' 2"; Senior
: OL

#43 Levi Dorsey
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: K/P

#11 Trevon Garden
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: WR

#12 Barton Mixon
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: RB

#32 Brody Sanderson
: 5' 10"; Senior
: LB

#28 Benji Tidwell
: 5' 11"; Senior
: DB

#95 Michael Showalter
: 6' 2"; Senior
: DL

#94 Hunter Broyles
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: DL