SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The Wofford College football team jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on the way to a 34-16 win over VMI on Saturday afternoon at Gibbs Stadium. With a 24-10 lead at the half, the Terriers were able to run the ball and played strong defense in the second half for the victory.
 
Wofford is now 3-7 on the season and 3-4 in the Southern Conference. VMI is 1-9 overall and 0-7 in the SoCon. The Terriers were led by Kyle Parsons with 112 rushing yards, Ryan Ingram with two rushing touchdowns and Jimmy Weirick who was 17-of-26 passing for 176 yards. The Wofford defense forced three turnovers in the game – the most this season. The Keydets were led by Seth Morgan with a 21-of-38 passing performance for 264 yards.  
 
"I love the way we started jumping out to a 21-0 lead," said interim head coach Shawn Watson. "We had a really good plan and were hitting on all cylinders. We let off the gas at the end of the second quarter, but at halftime the kids took it really personal how we ended it and came back out and got us going again. I am thrilled for our seniors who have given us so much. We could not have done this without them. For them to walk off today with a win is awesome."  
 
The Keydets had the ball first and went three-and-out and punted. Wofford had three first downs and scored on a 26-yard reception by Dylan Djete from Jimmy Weirick for a 7-0 lead with 8:36 on the clock. On the next drive by VMI, John Boyles sacked Seth Morgan and forced a fumble that was recovered by Micheal Mason that was originally ruled an incomplete pass but overturned on replay. Wofford took only two plays to score on a 21-yard run by Ryan Ingram for a 14-0 lead with 7:05 in the first quarter. The Terriers recovered the onside kick and took over at the 39-yard line. After one first down, the 41-yard field goal attempt was wide right and the Keydets took over. They gained one first down before punting with R.J. Khayo returning the punt 84-yards down the near sideline for a touchdown and a 21-0 lead at 4:13 in the opening quarter.
 
VMI gained four first downs on their next possession, but after a completed pass Oka Emmanwori forced a fumble that was recovered by Tahir Annoor and returned to the 28-yard line. The Terriers were unable to take advantage of the turnover and punted. The Keydets had three first downs to move into the redzone and kicked a 34-yard field goal to make it a 21-3 game at 10:59 in the second quarter. Wofford had one first down on the ensuing drive before punting. After the Terriers defense forced a three-and-out, the Wofford offense picked up three first downs before a 30-yard field goal by Bridger Jones pushed the lead to 24-3 with 2:40 left in the first half. After trading three-and-outs in the final two minutes of the half, the Keydets hit a 52-yard touchdown pass with two seconds remaining on the clock to cut the lead to 24-10.
 
Wofford had the ball to begin the second half and had a pair of first downs before punting. After both teams traded three-and-outs, the Keydets began their next drive at the one-yard line. Miles Richardson intercepted a pass at the six-yard line and after a penalty for the celebration took over at the 21-yard line. Ryan Ingram ran for a first down and then scored on a five-yard to give Wofford a 31-10 lead with 4:53 on the clock in the third quarter. After the Keydets went three-and-out and punted, Wofford gained four rushing first downs but a fumble at the goal line was recovered by the Keydets. VMI gained only one yard and had to punt with the Terriers taking over at the 46-yard line. After a first down run by Jimmy Weirick, Bridger Jones added a 41-yard field goal to extend the lead to 34-10 with 8:35 left in the fourth quarter. The Keydets put together a 75-yard drive in eleven plays and capped it with a four-yard touchdown run on fourth down by Seth Morgan. The two-point try was intercepted by Jaheem Hazel and the score was 34-16 with 4:27 remaining on the clock. Wofford gained one first down before having to punt with 1:49 left. Micheal Mason had two sacks on the final drive for VMI, including one that ended the game.
 
Wofford had 408 total yards, with 232 rushing yards. VMI had 309 total yards, with 264 of those passing yards. Wofford had 20 first downs to 17 for VMI. Wofford was 5-of-15 on third down. VMI was 4-of-14 on third down and 1-of-1 on fourth down. Wofford was called for three penalties and VMI was called for just one in the game. The Terriers had a 36:43 to 23:17 time of possession advantage.
 
Wofford vs. VMI Post-Game Notes
Wofford and VMI have met 26 times, with the Terriers holding a 14-12 lead in the series.   
 
Kyle Parsons had 110 rushing yards, his first career 100+ rushing yard game and the first this season by a Terrier. It was also the first by a Wofford freshman since 2019.
 
The punt return for touchdown by R.J. Khayo was the first for the Terriers since October 19, 2019 against Western Carolina. It was his first career punt return touchdown.
 
Dylan Djete had his first career receiving touchdown in the first quarter.
 
On defense, John Boyles and Oka Emmanwori had forced fumbles, while Micheal Mason and Tahir Annoor had fumble recoveries. Miles Richardson added his second career interception in the third quarter.
 
Micheal Mason led the team with six tackles and two sacks. He has 8.5 sacks on the season.
 
Wofford will travel to Furman next Saturday to close out the 2022 season.  
 
Game captains were Al Hogan, Micheal Mason, Collin Springer and James Wells.
 
Attendance at Gibbs Stadium was 3,905.
 
The VMI game marked the final regular season home contest for 20 Wofford seniors. The group includes six fifth year seniors: Al Hogan, Landon Parker, Nick Russo, Colin Springer, Nathan Walker and Jimmy Weirick. The fifth-year players won the 2018 and 2019 Southern Conference Championships, along with NCAA FCS Playoff appearances in 2018 and 2019. There are also 14 true seniors, who were part of the 2019 SoCon Championship teams and a playoff appearance. They are: Forrest Alvarez, Tahir Annoor, Jysiah Cromer, Jacob Drag, John Harrington, Jr., Jaheem Hazel, R.J. Khayo, Micheal Mason, Jeremy Michaux, Miles Richardson, Jack Scroggs, Jason Swann, James Wells, and Jackson Zehr.