Box Score Game Stats (pdf)
Inside Wofford Football
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College football team defeated the University of Virginia’s College at Wise 47-14 on Saturday at Gibbs Stadium. The Terriers scored all 47 points in the first half and outgained the Highland Cavaliers 554 to 108 in total offense.
The Terriers are 5-1 on the season and 3-0 in the SoCon. UVa.-Wise is 4-3 overall. Wofford was led by Eric Breitenstein with 107 yards on ten carries with two touchdowns. Michael Harpe added two touchdown receptions. Mitch Allen was 4-of-5 passing for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Brian Kass was 5-of-8 passing for 101 yards and three touchdowns. The Highland Cavaliers were led by receiver Michael Steele with four catches for 41 yards.
“We got on top early and did what we wanted to do in getting second and third team guys in,” said head coach Mike Ayers. “The biggest frustration from my standpoint was I thought we would do a lot better with the second and third groups. We had situations where we made mental mistakes and we had situations where we made mistakes on executing. It comes down to if you are a number two guy, you have to be ready to be a number one guy. Some of those guys are not quite there yet. The road ahead is long and tough. We have a great challenge facing Furman and we will have our work cut out for us. We have to improve in the kicking game – too many mistakes.”
After both teams punted on their respective opening drives, Wofford was able to score first on a one-yard touchdown run by Eric Breitenstein. The Terriers had a 7-0 lead with 8:59 on the clock in the first quarter. The Highland Cavaliers gained a first down, but sacks by Alex Goltry and Alvin Scioneaux forced a punt.
Wofford added a touchdown with 4:55 left in the first quarter when Eric Breitenstein went in from three-yards out for a 14-0 lead. After a punt by UVa.-Wise, Mitch Allen found Michael Harpe for a 37-yard touchdown reception to take a 21-0 lead. Marcus Bratton then returned the ensuing kickoff 86-yards for a touchdown and a 21-7 score with 14:13 on the clock in the second quarter. Wofford returned the favor when Derek Boyce went 99-yards with the next kickoff for a touchdown. The point after hit the left upright for a 27-7 score.
The Highland Cavaliers went three-and-out and punted. The Terriers wasted little time and scored on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Brian Kass to Brenton Bersin for a 34-7 lead at 10:48 in the second quarter.
After another three-and-out for the Highland Cavaliers, Brian Kass found Kenny Barnes in the endzone for a 13-yard touchdown reception. Wofford had a 41-7 lead with 5:31 left in the first half. The teams then traded punts. UVa.-Wise quarterback Tye Marshall was intercepted by Josh Holt. On the next play, Brian Kass found Michael Harpe for a 27-yard touchdown as the Terriers were up 47-7 with fifteen seconds left in the half. The Highland Cavaliers ran one play before the end of the half. At the break, Wofford had 414 total yards to only nine for UVa.-Wise.
The teams traded punts to open the second half. The Highland Cavaliers picked up a first down, but Zack Cole intercepted Hunter Hoke and returned it 21-yards. However Wofford fumbled the ball back after only two plays. UVa.-Wise gained a first down before punting the ball back to Wofford. The Terriers gained several first downs, but were stopped on fourth-and-one.
The Highland Cavaliers scored on their next drive as Hunter Hoke found Nick Leftwich for a 24-yard touchdown reception to make it a 47-14 game with 13:04 on the clock in the fourth quarter. Wofford and UVa.-Wise traded punts again until the Terriers got the ball back with 4:27 left on the clock and gained four first downs to run out the clock.
Wofford had 554 total yards, with 321 on the ground. UVa.-Wise had 108 total yards, 113 of which were passing. Wofford had the time of possession advantage by a 32:35 to 27:25 margin. Wofford was 2-of-8 on third downs and 0-of-1 on fourth down. UVa.-Wise was 4-of-16 on third down.
Next weekend the Terriers will return to conference play as they face Furman at 2:00 pm in Greenville.
Wofford vs. UVa.-Wise Post-Game Notes
Eric Breitenstein rushed for 107 yards in the first half, the fifth time this season with over 100 yards. The only game he has not rushed for over 100 yards was at Clemson. It marks his 15th career 100+ rushing game, which is tied for second in school history.
In the second quarter, the 37-yard touchdown reception by Michael Harpe was the first catch and first touchdown of his career. He added a second touchdown catch later in the game. Kenny Barnes added his first touchdown reception on a 13-yard pass in the second quarter.
The 99-yard kickoff return by Derek Boyce in the second quarter was the longest in school history, topping the 96 yard return by Brandon Berry in 2006 against Furman.
Zack Cole picked off his first career pass in the third quarter and returned it 21 yards.
The 554 yards of total offense were the 15th most in a single game for the Terriers. The 233 passing yards were the 10th most in school history and the most since joining the Southern Conference.
Game captains were Jaynorris Thomas and Josh Wright.
Attendance was 6,290 at Gibbs Stadium.
