OWENSBORO, Ky. – It was a day of firsts at Steele Stadium on Saturday. Kentucky Wesleyan picked up their first win of the season, the program's first ever win over Alderson Broaddus, and Head Coach Craig Yeast's first win as a collegiate Head Coach.
The Panthers took back the G-MAC Founder's Cup from the Battlers with a 41-30 victory. Wesleyan forced six turnovers, recorded four interceptions and four sacks, scored one defensive touchdown and allowed a season-best 61-yards rushing all while never trailing.
The first quarter saw the two teams combine for three interceptions. Ramond Jackson picked off a pass and returned it 40-yards to put Wesleyan inside the red zone. Corey Johnson Jr. recorded a 14-yard run before Austin Frasier caught his first collegiate touchdown, a six-yard pass from Mike McGee. Chris Mangold converted the extra point to put the Panthers ahead 7-0.
The Battlers stormed down field, getting first and goal at the five-yard line but the Panther defense held the Battlers to a field goal, giving Wesleyan a 7-3 lead after the first quarter.
Chauncey Greer put Wesleyan ahead by 10 with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Wiley Cain. The two teams traded touchdowns on their next two drives to keep it a 10-point lead for the Panthers.
Johnson Jr. exploded for a 37-yard run, putting the Panthers at the Battlers' 23-yard line. The junior took over from there, punching in a nine-yard touchdown run.
Alderson Broaddus found the end zone with three minutes remaining but the Panthers took a 20-17 lead to halftime.
The Battlers' received the ball to start the second half and missed the potential game-tying field goal.
Wesleyan recorded a defensive touchdown on the next drive after the quarterback fumbled the ball. Oscar Elliott scooped it up and returned it 33-yards to the house. Mangold's extra point attempt was good, extending the Panthers' lead to 27-17 with the only score of the third quarter.
Alderson Broaddus put together a 98-yard touchdown drive to open the fourth, making it a three-point game with 13 minutes remaining. The Panthers responded with a touchdown drive of their own highlighted by a fake punt. Facing fourth and nine, Wesleyan lined up to punt but Chauncey Greer threw the ball downfield to Mack Guice III for a 22-yard gain.
The Panthers went for it on fourth down again, this time facing fourth and two at the nine-yard line. Johnson Jr. tallied a three-yard run to get the first down and then recorded a six-yard touchdown run. Mangold converted the extra point to put the Panthers ahead 34-24.
The Battlers were driving with less than five minutes remaining but Alijah McGhee halted their momentum with an interception that was returned 27-yards. Jatorian Dillard tallied a 10-yard run to set up Johnson Jr. for his third rushing touchdown of the game. Mangold's extra point attempt was good, putting the Panthers ahead 41-24.
Alderson Broaddus scored on the final play of the game and elected not to kick the extra point.
Wesleyan nearly recorded a season-high in total offense, accumulating 468-yards. Cain finished with 168-yards on 16 completions while McGee recorded 50-yards in the first quarter. Johnson Jr. led the run game with 146-yards, averaging 6.6-yards per run. Greer led the receivers with 67-yards on six catches.
Moe Carter paced the defense with seven tackles on the day followed by Jalen Humphrey, Josh Thompson and Oscar Elliott at five. Jalen Wilson, Tyreik Norwood, Dalan Cofer, Jalen Humphrey and RJ Wilson each recorded one sack.
McGhee tallied two interceptions while Kendrick Curry and Ramond Jackson both recorded one. The Panther defense tied a season-high nine pass break ups set in week one against Concordia.
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