Albany, GA—Tracy Scott and Ashton Heard both had 100-yards rushing and a combined three touchdowns while Will Hunter threw for another, leading the Crusaders to a 35-27 upset of 16th ranked Albany State.

The Basics

• Score: NGU – 35 ASU – 27
• Location: Albany, Georgia
• Records: NGU – 2-1 / ASU – 2-1

Quick Facts

• North Greenville now owns a 3-1 series lead over the Rams, a series which dates back to the 2011 season.
• This is the first time the Crusaders have beaten the Rams on the road. The other two wins came in Tigerville, a win in the 2011 playoffs and a regular season victory in 2013.

How it Happened

• Albany scored the first points of the game, kicking a field goal to cap an 11-play 69-yard drive. The Crusaders countered on their opening drive when Tracy Scott took it in from 25-yards to give NGU a four-point, 7-3 edge. The first touchdown of the game came on the heels of a 32-yard kickoff return by Deonte Bryant.
• Matt Gravely tacked on a 19-yard field goal to end the first quarter. Albany answered with a field goal of its own to make the score 10-6 with 13:02 left in the first half.
• The Crusaders added one more score in the first half when Tracy Scott took it in from 33-yards out. The Rams would block the ensuing field goal but Jordan Helms corralled the loose ball and took it in, giving NGU a two-point conversion and an 18-6 lead at the half.
• Ashton Heard would get in on the big play action to open the third period with a 31-yard touchdown run of this own. Gravely would tack on a field goal late in the third to answer an Albany State touchdown to extend NGU’s lead to 28-13.
• The Rams would score twice in the fourth quarter but Will Hunter found Demajiay Rooks in the end-zone to keep NGU in front. Albany had one last chance to score NGU’s defense held the Rams scoreless to secure the win.

The Good Guys

• Ashton Heard and Tracy Scott had 134 and 119-yards respectively. Scott led all scorers with two touchdowns. The Crusaders finished with 251-yards on the ground.
• Will Hunter threw for 125-yards and a touchdown. His favorite target of the day was Mason Sanders who caught three passes for 39-yards.
• Brandon Burger led the defense with 11-tackles on the day while Jacob Harper had 10. Harper also had an interception for the Crusaders.
• Cam Wrice picked up another turnover for the Crusaders, picking up an Albany State fumble.

The Other Team

• Chancel Johnson threw for impressive 283-yards on 22 attempts. He also threw for a touchdown.
• Kelan Fraise led the rushing charge with 114-yards on eight carries. McKin Habersham ran for 42-yards and a touchdown.

Next Time Out

• The Crusaders will return to Tigerville next Saturday to host Limestone College at 7:05 pm. The game will be broadcasted by WMYA out of Asheville.