The Lenoir-Rhyne football team moved up to No. 21 in the American Football Coaches National poll this week. It is the 32nd straight week the Bears have been ranked nationally.
LR bounced back from a loss in the season opener to take down Tusculum 28-7 on Saturday. The Bears outgained the Pioneers 428 yards to 281 on offense. Tusculum piled up 562 yards a week earlier against Bluefield State. Tusculum failed to record an offensive touchdown. The Pioneers’ only score was a pick six in the first quarter.
Lenoir-Rhyne running back Zayvion Turner-Knox cuts through a hole in a game against West Florida on Aug. 29.
Jackson Shoe, Record
“I like the way our guys competed tonight,†said Head Coach Doug Socha. “We have to continue to clean up pre-snap penalties and play cleaner and consistent.â€
The Bears’ offensive attack featured plenty of big plays. South Atlantic Conference Offensive Player of the Week Khamoni Robinson had a big day at quarterback. He connected with his receivers for 41-, 27-, 80- and 49-yard touchdown passes, finishing 13-of-22 for 280 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He now leads the conference with 295 passing yards per game.
Songa Yates had 113 receiving yards with two touchdowns while LJ Turner and Zayvion Turner-Knox combined for 146 yards on the ground. Ben Watson finished with 14 tackles and 1.0 tackle for loss on defense.
Fellow SAC school Carson-Newman jumped into the top 25. They come in at No. 23 after a 59-0 defeat of South Carolina Central Christian on Sept. 4. Wingate had a bye week and is just outside the top 25 with received 59 votes.
The Bears will host Emory & Henry last week in the season’s home opener. It is a game that could have major playoff implications. The Wasps currently sit at 2-0 and won 35-7 over Catawba last week. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Moretz Stadium.
All those top-10 matchups last week left college football fans wanting more. They’ll have to wait. It could be three weeks until there’s another one.Â
