Hawks take down Birmingham-Southern under the lights

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – The Huntingdon football team turned to its defense and a pair of sophomores to knock off Birmingham-Southern 29-12 on Saturday night. The game was the first football game played under the lights at Samford Stadium.

Sophomores Jay Ware and Luke Bailey sparked the offense and the Huntingdon defense held Birmingham-Southern to just two touchdowns.

"We knew we were a better defense than what we showed last week," junior defensive back Anthony White said of the Hawks' performance in a 49-42 loss to Louisiana College last week. "We still have work to do, but I think we showed the potential we have when we play with a lot of energy and play assignment defense.

"To beat Birmingham-Southern at home under the lights was great. Everyone has been waiting for this one. It was hard to sleep last night because we were so ready for this game. We've been preparing all week and we played hard and got the win tonight."

The Hawks (1-1) were presented with the Wesley Cup following the game, snapping a three-game losing streak to Birmingham-Southern (0-2). The win was the first for Huntingdon against its in-state rival since 2009.

"Any win is a big win, but getting a win over a rival means a lot," Ware said. "Our coaches put together a good plan and had us prepared. And our defense really brought us through this one tonight."

After gaining 541 yards of offense in its season opener, Birmingham-Southern was held to 279 yards on Saturday. The Huntingdon defense allowed just 100 yards passing, the eighth best single-game performance in program history.

"Birmingham-Southern played well and kept us off balance at times, but our defense was the difference," Huntingdon head coach Mike Turk said. "When we did what we were supposed to, we played great. We're not where we need to be yet, but tonight our defense went toe-to-toe with them and kept us in the game. This was a step in the right direction and we need to keep building on it."

Ware provided a big spark in the third quarter, scoring on a 98-yard run to open up a two-point game and give the Hawks a 15-6 lead.

"Jay's run was a big play. That may have been the biggest play of the game," Turk said. "The defense had been keeping us in the game, and that play gave us a lift."

Ware's 98 yard run is tied for the second longest play from scrimmage in Huntingdon history. Willie Horn broke a 99-yard run against Westminster in 2005 and Nick Plagenhoef connected with Cody Pearcy for a 98-yard play against Maryville in 2010.

"It was great," Ware said. "But plays like that are a team effort. I owe it all to my offensive line."

Ware finished with 137 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. His 137 yards are the 11th most in a game by a Hawk and his 12.5 yards per carry is tied for third best in a game by a Hawk.

Bailey, a backup quarterback, had a hand in the Hawks' other three touchdowns. After starter Taylor Hughes went down with an injury in the first quarter, Bailey stepped in and passed for two touchdowns and ran for another.

He scored the Hawks' first touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter he connected with Nick Haas for a 7-yard touchdown pass and Darius Dawsey for a 21-yard touchdown strike. He finished with 165 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions on a 17-for-28 night.

"Luke made some mistakes and he threw the ball to them a couple of times," Turk said. "But when we needed him to, he made some big plays. He kept some drives alive and he helped us get in the end zone."

Defensively, White and linebacker Willie Vinson each recorded 10 tackles for the Hawks. Jacob Wright had nine tackles and a forced fumble and Edgar Padilla had an interception.

Jeremy Murphy and Brendon Brown combined for one of the biggest plays of the night on special teams after Birmingham-Southern's first touchdown. Tied 6-6, Murphy blasted through to block the extra-point attempt and Brown scooped up the ball and returned it for a two-point score.

Huntingdon returns to action on Sept. 20 at Methodist. Kickoff is set for noon Central.