Big Plays Spark Football to Blowout Win at Bulldogs

By Mike DeVader, Reinhardt Director of Athletic Communications & Media

Photo Courtesy of Al Levine

BARBOURVILLE, Ky. – The 10^th-ranked Eagles rolled to 4-0 on the year after they soared to 34 points in the second quarter to cruise to a 57-16 romp of Union (Ky.) on the road.

Reinhardt (2-0 Appalachian Division) collected 456 yards on offense and scored points in all three phases of the game to overwhelm the Bulldogs.

"Great win as we were able to score on offense, defense and special teams," head coach James Miller said. "Big-time kickoff return for a touchdown from Otis Odom, as we continue to make plays on special teams; really proud of the effort of our players and Coach Blue to make MAD plays on those teams. Defensively, we had some big stops, created turnovers and had a touchdown by Jacorris Lamar on a pick-six. I think we could have made stops in the red zone a couple more times, but I'm proud of their effort.

"Offensively, we made plays through the air. Union was packing the box for the run and playing some man coverage… We were able to take advantage of it with two touchdowns to Solomon. We need to finish drives better in the red zone, but also did some good stuff. Super proud of their effort in all phases; great job on the road by our young men."

Billy Hall completed only six passes, but they went for 156 yards and two scores – both to Navarie Solomon – as he gathered four balls for 140 yards, including a 77-yard touchdown on the first drive of the contest to make it 7-0.

The Eagles doubled their advantage just five minutes later on an explosive run by Willie McCloud, as he outraced the Union defense to the end zone on a 66-yard gallop to move ahead, 14-0. The Bulldogs responded with a field goal and a rushing touchdown (blocked PAT) to get within, 14-9, but Otis Odom sparked a 34-point second period for Reinhardt with a 78-yard kickoff return on the ensuing kickoff.

Just seconds later, Jacorris Lamar made a house call on an interception for a 28-9 lead with 12:15 left in the opening half. The cushion continued to grow for the hometown team after Solomon found the paint for his second time on a 43-yard catch, and then a pair of running scores – from Javarsia Meadows (three yards) and Nick Harris (one yard) pushed the scoreboard to 48-9.

Union would get back on the board and score its final points on the day with just four seconds to go before halftime on a five-yard run that capped off a long drive for the Bulldogs.

A low-scoring second half saw a James Hardy 44-yard field goal and another McCloud score – this time from 27 yards – to wrap things up.

McCloud ended the afternoon with 136 yards on just eight carries (17-yard average). Collectively, the Eagles accumulated 284 yards on the ground.

The Reinhardt defense forced three total turnovers in the victory, and was led individually by both Keyovione Whitlock and Kenneth Lowery (2.5 TFLs) with eight stops each.

Sebastian LeGarra also added seven tackles.

The team is back home next Saturday as it welcomes the Knights of St. Andrews (N.C.) for Homecoming at Ken White Field at University Stadium.

Kickoff is set for Noon.

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