Second half shutout halts the Skyhawks
MCKENZIE, Tenn. (Sep. 10, 2022) – The Point University football team continued their 2022 campaign Saturday afternoon, traveling to Bethel University and falling to the Wildcats 28-3.
Both respective opponents were held to zero in the first quarter. Bethel looked to get on the scoreboard first with a respectable drive to start the game, but the Skyhawks' defense held its ground. The Wildcats attempted a field goal at the end of the drive but would miss the kick wide right. Point looked to capitalize off the miss from Bethel but would be forced to punt. Two drives later for the offense, the Skyhawks moved the ball with more of a surge until the Wildcats forced the first turnover in the game with a sack-fumble. Nearing the end of the quarter, the Skyhawks looked to strike first in the endzone but would be unsuccessful.
The next period of play started off with Giovanni Martin finishing the drive for Point with a 42-yard field goal to bring the score to 3-0. It was a slow second quarter on offense, for both teams would not budge on giving up the first touchdown of the game. The second turnover of the game occurred when Justin Jackson intercepted a pass for Point's defense. The Skyhawks' offense could not capitalize on this and would again be forced to punt. As the first half concluded, neither team would be able to reach the endzone first, leaving the score 3-0.
The action picked up in the third quarter with Bethel's defense starting the quarter with a forced punt, and on the offensive end, Joaquin Callazo connected with JD Dixon on a 32-yard touchdown. Austin Abbot's point after try was good to make the score 7-3. This touchdown brought new life to the Wildcats as their defense would continue to make stops throughout the quarter, along with their offense being able to move the ball better as they headed into the fourth quarter with the lead.
Bethel's offense started the final period of play by finishing their offensive drive with a Terrance Robert five-yard touchdown. Another field goal by Abbott moved the score 14-3. On the next kickoff, Bethel opened their box of tricks with an onside kick which was recovered by the Wildcats to get the ball back. Point's defense looked to force a stop on this drive, but a second touchdown by Dixon extended the lead to 21-3. The Skyhawks' offense tried to match the energy of Bethel but would be forced on another three and out. Bethel took the field for another offensive drive to score their last touchdown of the evening, with Callazo completing his third touchdown pass to receiver Davius Prather making the score 28-3. The Skyhawks could not overcome the late surge created by Bethel as the Wildcats scored 28 unanswered points in the second half.
In the box
The Wildcats out-converted the Skyhawks 18 to 11 on first down attempts. Point did have more rushing first downs than Bethel (8 to 7) but only had one passing first down compared to Bethel's 11.
Point had 156 total yards on offense, and the Wildcats had 425. Bethel outdueled Point in the air with 294 passing yards compared to the Skyhawks' 48. Point's ground game was their bread and butter with 108 rushing yards off 41 attempts on the evening.
Brenton White took most of the snaps under center for Point, going 3-for-14 for 17 yards in the air and went for 32 rushing yards off 11 attempts.
Mitchell Gossett was 1-for-4 and threw for 31 yards.
Sensir Carnes led the Skyhawks on the ground game with 55 yards off 12 attempts. His longest rush was 15 yards. Shiloh Addo-Nob added to the running game with 25 yards off seven attempts. Nadir Mitchell added 18 rushing yards off seven attempts.
In the air, Christian Hodgi led Point with two receptions for 39 yards.
Aaron Anderson led the Skyhawks' defense with 11 tackles (five solo) for the Skyhawks. Davyon Dukes followed with six tackles which were all solo. Caleb Wade, Promise William, James Bryant, and Gavin Graham followed with four tackles. Justin Jackson added three tackles along with catching an interception for the Skyhawks.
Up Next
Point will look to bounce back next Saturday, Sept. 17, as they host Reinhardt University inside Ram Stadium at 12 p.m. ET.