Carrollton, GA—North Greenville dropped its first Gulf South Conference game on the season on Saturday after a lopsided loss to the fifth-ranked West Georgia Wolves.

The Basics

• Score: Crusaders – 7 | Wolves – 31
• Records: North Greenville 3 – 2 [2 – 1] | West Georgia 6 – 0 [3 – 0]
• Location: Carrollton, Georgia (University of West Georgia)

Quick Facts

• Saturday’s meeting between the Crusaders and Wolves was the first between the two programs.
• The Wolves are the second consecutive top – 25 team the Crusaders have played in the last two weeks including #21 West Alabama the previous Saturday.

How it Happened

• West Georgia took the opening kickoff at the six-yard line and drove the ball 43 – yards before fumbling at their own 49.
• North Greenville took over first and 10 but the Crusaders were unable to advance the ball. Christian Bruce took the first pass from Hunter eight yards but two straight runs for no gain forced the Crusaders to punt.
• NGU downed a punt at the two but the Wolves took advantage of their next possession, driving 98 – yards to make it 7 – 0 after the extra point.
• Neither team could put up any points in the final minutes of the first quarter. The Crusaders failed to score on their first drive of the second period and were forced to punt.
• UWG took over on the NGU 15 after a punt return of 20 – yards and an NGU penalty but the defense stood for the Crusaders, forcing a West Georgia field goal to make it 10 – 0 with 12:28 left in the quarter.
• The Wolves would tack on two more touchdowns in the second quarter using a 47 – yard return on an interception and a 71 – yard rushing score to make it 24 – 0 at the half.
• Another North Greenville punt led to West Georgia’s only score of the second half. The Wolves took over at the 19 – yard line and drove 81 yards on 12 plays to extend their lead to 31 – points.
• The third quarter TD would be the only score of the half for the Wolves but NGU was unable to take advantage of the lack of scoring.
  The NGU offense was held in check for much of the game, finishing with just 171 – yards of total offense.
• The Crusaders were finally able to find pay dirt late in the fourth quarter when Will Hunter found Christian Bruce to make it 31 – 7.
• The Wolves would take the ensuing drive and take it 70 – yards but use a pair of quarterback kneels to run out the clock.

Inside the North Greenville Box Score

• Will Hunter finished the game with 119 passing yards and was 12 of 27 with a touchdown and an interception.
• Lucas Catalfomo led the team with 44 receiving yards while Christian Bruce had the game’s only touchdown.
• Dominique Hunt led the defense with nine tackles on the day while seven players combined for five tackles for a loss.
• Travis Beatty had a forced fumble and a recovery to go along with five tackles.

Inside the West Georgia Box Score

• The Wolves finished with 507 – yards of total offense including 283 – yards on the ground.
• Willie Candler finished with 211 passing yards with a touchdown. Malik Henry led the pass catchers with 40 – yards.
• Candler was also the team’s leading rusher running for 84 – yards on seven carries with a touchdown.

Next Time Out

• Its homecoming time in Tigerville as the Crusaders will host Shorter at 2:30 PM next Saturday in Younts Stadium.