Box Score <strong>ATHENS, W.Va. – </strong>Behind timely passing from sophomore quarterback
Brian Novak and hard-nosed running from the trio of junior running backs
Angus Harper and
Calvinaugh Jones and redshirt freshman running back
Jamal Petty, the Concord University football team defeated Glenville State, 54-27, to begin its season Saturday afternoon at Callaghan Stadium.<br />Â <br />The Mountain Lions scored seemingly at ease against the Pioneers as the Mountain Lions were only forced to punt three times throughout the course of the game. The offensive explosion got started on the first possession for CU with Harper scoring on a two-yard run to give CU an early 7-0 lead. After stalling Glenville State's offense for a second consecutive drive the Mountain Lions used a 31-yard field goal by junior kicker
Andy Ellington to extend their advantage to 10 points.<br />Â <br />As the first quarter began to come to close, Concord continued to grow its lead. Novak threw a screen pass to freshman wide receiver T.J. Smith, who raced into the end zone from 19 yards out. The Pioneers were able to eat into the deficit, scoring a touchdown of their own to make it a 16-6 contest with 12:08 remaining in the first half.<br />Â <br />After trading punts, Concord marched down the field to set up a 44-yard field goal from Ellington. However, the Winfield, West Virginia native took the snap himself and tossed a 27-yard touchdown to wide open sophomore wide receiver
Davon McGill. After Ellington's PAT, Concord took a commanding 23-6 lead. But, the Mountain Lions first half onslaught wasn't finished as Harper bursted into the end zone for another touchdown, and Ellington connected from 25-yards for three points. At halftime, Concord led 33-6.<br />Â <br />Concord began the second half with the ball as they drove 55 yards before Harper plunged in for his third touchdown of the game to give the Mountain Lions a 40-6 lead. From there, Glenville State used two runs of 22 and 31-yards from Rahmann Lee and a long touchdown run of 74 yards from Tevin Drake to score three touchdowns throughout the second half but it wasn't enough as Concord won 54-27.<br /><br /><br />Â As the workhorse back in the Concord offense, Jones scored his lone touchdown of the contest in the third quarter with a 1-yard run. The final CU touchdown came at the beginning of the fourth quarter when Harper scored his fourth touchdown of the game.<br />Â <br />The 54 points scored by Concord were the most scored by CU since head coach
Garin Justice took over the program in 2011 and the most points scored since the Mountain Lions piled 72 on the scoreboard against Southern Virginia to open the 2010 season.<br />Â <br />CU defeated the Pioneers despite not having a 100-yard rusher in the game. Jones finished with 20 carries for 97 yards and a touchdown while Harper rushed the ball 10 times for 21 yards and a four touchdowns. Petty finished with 12 carries for 52 yards as well as one reception for 23 yards out of the backfield.<br />Â <br />Meanwhile, Novak had one of his best career games in the Maroon and Gray. He finished with a career-high 299 passing yards to go along with one touchdown. Novak's top target Smith, who was making his collegiate debut finished with five catches for 99 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore tight end
Dalton Brindo also caught five passes for 57 yards and McGill added four catches for 73 yards in addition to his scoring reception from Ellington. Â <br />Â <br />Defensively for Concord, sophomore linebacker
Denis Ikic finished with a career-high eight tackles while senior defensive lineman
Anthony Pyle set a career high in sacks with two. Other CU defensive standouts were redshirt freshman cornerback
Jeremiah Johnson coming away with three pass breaks-ups and junior linebacker
Nick Ortiz tallying six tackles in his first game at Concord.<br />Â <br />Concord will play at West Virginia State next Saturday at 1 p.m. The Mountain Lions have won five straight games over the Yellow Jackets.<br />Â
