Box Score Game Book (pdf)
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – In the home opener for the Wofford College football team, the Terriers defeated Union College (Ky.) 48-10 at Gibbs Stadium. Wofford took a 42-3 lead at the half and held the Bulldogs to only one touchdown in the fourth quarter for the victory.
The Terriers are 2-1 on the season and the Bulldogs are 1-2. The Terriers were led by Eric Breitenstein with 134 yards on six carries with two touchdowns, while Brian Kass added two rushing touchdowns and Mitch Allen connected twice with Brenton Bersin on touchdowns. The Bulldogs were led by Armond Smith with 45 yards and quarterback Mike Brinkley was 11-of-17 with a touchdown and one interception. Sean Mackey had 109 receiving yards and one touchdown.
“We really had a lot of respect for these guys,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “We watched them on film and they have some guys who can run and some guys who can block and they are a physical football team. We were fortunate to get out early on them. In the second half we tried to play as many guys as we could and those guys deserved it. We still have a range of issues that we need to tighten up on and we need to do a better job in every phase. Fundamentally we have some areas of concern. I was pleased with the work that both quarterbacks put in and I thought the offensive line did a nice job. We threw the ball well. It is a growing process with this football team and we are still young in a lot of areas. We made progress and that was what we are trying to do week after week.”
The Terriers took the opening kickoff and drove 73 yards in eight plays to score first when Mitch Allen found Brenton Bersin in the end-zone for a 30-yard touchdown reception four minutes into the game. On the first possession by the Bulldogs, they put together a 12-play drive but had to settle for a 23-yard field goal by Chad Boyington for a 7-3 score with 4:48 remaining in the first quarter.
On the next drive for Wofford, Eric Breitenstein went 60-yards for a touchdown on the second play from scrimmage to take a 14-3 lead. Union was able to drive inside the Wofford red-zone on their next possession, however Tommy Irvin came up with an interception on the goal line to end the scoring opportunity. With the ball back, the Terriers wasted little time in getting back on the scoreboard as Mitch Allen found Brenton Bersin for a 22-yard touchdown reception at 13:44 in the second quarter to take a 21-3 lead.
Union College gained one first down on their next possession before being forced to punt. After a punt of only six yards, the Terriers needed only four plays to score again as Brian Kass ran the ball in from 16-yards out for a 35-3 lead. The Bulldogs got the ball back with 3:44 left in the half. After gaining one first down, they were forced to punt. The snap went over the head of the punter and the ball was recovered by the Terriers at the four-yard line. On the next play from scrimmage, Brian Kass ran the ball in for a four-yard touchdown and the Terriers had a 42-3 lead at the half.
On the first drive of the second half by Union, the Bulldogs were forced three-and-out. With the ball back, Wofford added to the lead with a 47-yard field goal at 10:19 in the third quarter for a 45-3 advantage. The Bulldogs gained a first down on their next drive, but were forced to punt. After the punt, the Terriers were able to put together a drive that used over five minutes and a 48-yard field goal by Christian Reed made it a 48-3 game.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs answered with a big play as Mike Brinkley found Sean Mackey for a 62-yard touchdown reception to make it a 48-10 game with 14:10 remaining in the game.
Chris White came in at quarterback for Wofford and after picking up one first down the Terriers punted. Union was able to drive to the Terriers 25-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. A fumble by Wofford gave the Bulldogs the ball back at the 19-yard line, but again Union turned it over on downs after failing to convert a fourth-and-four. Wofford gained one first down on the final drive as they ran out the clock for a 48-10 final score.
The Terriers had 421 total yards, with 335 on the ground. Union had 242 yards, 160 of which were passing. The Bulldogs had the time of possession advantage. Wofford was 3-of-7 on third downs and made one fourth down conversion. Union was 7-of-16 on third down and one-of-four on fourth down.
Wofford will take next weekend off before opening Southern Conference play on October 2 at Gibbs Stadium against Furman.
Wofford vs. Union Post-Game Notes
The field goals by Christian Reed of 48 and 47 yards marked the first game in school history with two field goals of over 46 yards. The 48-yard field goal tied for the third-longest in school history.
Kendall Bratcher was injured in the first half (arm) and will miss several weeks.
Game captains for Wofford were Keaton Thompson and Ben Wilmoth.
Wofford has now won ten home openers in a row, dating back to the 200 season.
Attendance was 7,043 at Gibbs Stadium.
