Tigerville – North Greenville's attempt at a second half comeback came up short on Saturday in Younts Stadium as the Newberry Wolves earned the 29 – 22 win over the Crusaders.
Dylan Ramirez set a freshman record throwing for 329-yards in his first true collegiate effort including three touchdowns. Ramirez also ran for 66-yards on 13-carries to lead the team. Ramirez connected on 15 of 23 passes.
Doug Washington set a career high in receiving yards with 183 on five receptions and scored a touchdown. Cam Walker tacked on a score and caught three passes for 75-yards while
Tyree Funnye also caught a touchdown pass.
De'Iveon Donald led NGU with 10-stops on defense including one stop in the backfield. Termaine Epps and
Ethan Alexander both had eight tackles. Epps led NGU with a pair of tackles for a loss including one sack. Alexander had 1.5 tackles for a loss.
Dantevian Byrd also tallied a sack.
North Greenville's first touchdown of the season was an 89-yard strike from Ramirez to
Doug Washington that made it 7 – 7 with 2:26 left in the first quarter. The Wolves added a touchdown and a field goal before half, capitalizing on an NGU fumble to take a 17 – 7 lead in to intermission.
NGU's defense forced a pair of punts on Newberry's first second half positions setting the table for NGU's offense to strike first. The Crusaders did so with Ramirez's second touchdown toss of the day as he connected with Funnye in the back of the end-zone. A missed extra point made it 17-13 in favor of the wolves.
The Wolves added a field goal in the third period and tacked on their final touchdown of the night with 6:48 left in the game. The 17-yard rushing touchdown made the deficit 11-points after
Colin Karhu's first field goal of the season.
The Crusaders had one last gasp in the fourth when Ramirez found Cam Walker from 55-yards out. The once 11-point lead was cut to five but Newberry picked off the ensuing two-point conversion and returned it 99-yards to extend it to seven.
The ensuing onside kick was awarded to Newberry who ran out the clock to take the non-conference win.
Next Up
North Greenville opens Gulf South play at Mississippi College.
