Game Preview: No. 10 Reinhardt vs. No. 14 Faulkner (Ala.)
Photo Courtesy of Greg Spell/G-RoxPhotos.com
WALESKA, Ga. – Homecoming is here at Reinhardt University, and the 10th-ranked Eagles are set for a monumental clash with the visiting Eagles of Faulkner (Ala.) – who are ranked No. 14 – as first place in the Appalachian Division of the Mid-South Conference (MSC) is on the line Saturday afternoon at Noon.
The hometown squad has won three-consecutive games and sits at 5-2 overall (2-0 MSC), while the visiting Eagles come into the matchup at a perfect 5-0 (2-0 MSC).
"Big game tomorrow… The kind of big game you want to play in and make plays," head coach James Miller said. "We need to bring our A-game on Saturday afternoon because they have really good players – but, so do we.
We just need to be ready to kick that thing off tomorrow at high Noon and go fight."
Reinhardt is fresh off a dominating defensive performance and 488 total yards (328 on the ground), which helped the Eagles completely shut down Point (Ga.) and fly away from the Skyhawks, 41-0, last Saturday in Alabama.
Isaiah Blake scored on the first drive of the game from 11 yards out and led all rushers with 101 yards and two touchdowns on just 14 carries.
The cushion for the Eagles moved to 14-0 after Navarie Solomon crossed the goal line from 32 yards out, which helped the wideout again go over the 100-yard mark receiving with 106 yards on six receptions and a pair of scores.
The offensive line for the hometown squad continued to get open running lanes for its ball carries, and Dylan Kelly took advantage en route to a 17-yard touchdown dash in the opening minutes of the second period for a 20-0 lead after a missed extra-point.
Each team would alternate interceptions as the both defenses stood tall for the remainder of the opening half.
As they did on the first drive of the game, the Eagles got the ball and scored on their opening possession of the second half after Billy Hall ran into the paint from 15 yards away. A seven-yard punt from Point then allowed the dynamic duo of Hall and Solomon to connect once again – from 34 yards out – for a 34-0 lead.
Blake would then book-end the scoring by crossing the goal line a second time from one yard out.
Hall had 160 yards passing and was second on the team in rushing with 87 more on 12 carries.
Tyler Duckett led the way defensively with eight tackles and a sack. Teon Burroughs was also credited with 1.5 sacks and five total stops.
Faulkner was off last week after its game with Union (Ky.) was canceled due to COVID-19 protocols, but back on Oct. 9, the visiting Eagles also played Point and won, 45-14. Faulkner, playing as a ranked team for the first time since 2018, shut out the Skyhawks, 31-0, in the second half to break a 14-14 halftime tie.
Kade Young tied his all-time highs for yards and scores in a blue-and-white jersey, matching both marks from his performance at Union last spring. The signal-caller went 21-of-32 for 355 yards and five touchdowns. He only failed to equal his completion percentage and rushing yardage marks from last season's career day.
Jalen Browder, with nine catches for 180 yards and a hat trick touchdown total, came just three yards shy of tying his personal record of 183 yards receiving with three touchdowns.
Storylines for Saturday
1. No Place Like Reinhardt
Eagle Football would like to welcome all alumni and fans who are back in town for Homecoming 2021, as "There's No Place Like Home." Reinhardt thanks you for your support and hopes you enjoy your time back in Waleska.
2. Clash of Titans
Today's contest marks the best matchup thus far on the calendar in 2021 between Appalachian Division foes as Reinhardt moved up to 10th in the NAIA Top 25 and Faulkner (Ala.) jumped to 14th in the country.
3. Offensive Firepower
Both defenses have tough challenges ahead at Ken White Field at University Stadium, as each offense in today's game has been strong during the 2021 season. For the Eagles, they are averaging 292.9 yards rushing (3rd in the NAIA) and 40.7 points each time out. The visiting Eagles are posting 448.2 yards each game as well (15th).
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