ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University football team could not hold off Notre Dame College in Mountain East Conference play Saturday afternoon as the Falcons scored the go-ahead touchdown with 5:57 left in the game to win 14-10.
Notre Dame (6-1, 5-1 MEC) got on the board first as quarterback Malik Grove found Mitchell Shegos over the middle for a 27-yard touchdown five minutes into the contest to take a 7-0 lead.
The deficit remained for CU (2-5, 2-5 MEC) until nine minutes into the second quarter when junior running back
Nick Loftin rushed in for his third touchdown of the season, a four-yard carry, to knot the game at 7-7.
Coming into Saturday, Notre Dame was averaging 37.8 points per game and was also allowing over 430 yards of offense. However, Saturday's contest was dominated by each defense.
Although NDC was able to push the ball into Concord territory on eight different drives, Concord stood strong and forced four punts on the afternoon while Notre Dame also missed two field goals.
After a scoreless third quarter, junior kicker Zach Keaton gave the Mountain Lions a 10-7 lead on a 22-yard field goal with 12:52 left in the fourth quarter. The drive was highlighted by redshirt freshman wide receiver
Brandon Plyler's 24-yard reception and junior defensive back
Chaudlier Shepherd converting a fourth-and-two on a five-yard run out of the wildcat formation.
The Falcons were able to cap a short five play, 90-yard drive as Grove hit Darius Johnson in stride for a 64-yard touchdown. Both of CU's last possessions in the game stalled out as Concord fell 14-10.
Senior wide receiver
Davon McGill had a career day with seven catches for 123 yards including a 47-yard reception on a flea flicker to open up the game offensively for Concord.
Senior quarterback
Brian Novak finished the afternoon 20-for-31 with 268 yards and one interception.
Junior linebacker
Zach Malone led the way for CU on defense as he compiled 11 tackles while also forcing and recovering a fumble. Senior defensive lineman
Kevin Pierre had three tackles and sack for the Mountain Lions. Fellow senior defensive lineman
Brandon Hazzard added a season-high nine tackles.
The Falcons outgained CU 429-353 while the teams finished even in the turnover battle at one each.
Concord travels to face nationally-ranked and undefeated Shepherd next Saturday at 12:00 p.m.
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