ATHENS, W.Va. – Senior quarterback
Brian Novak connected on a six-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver
Paul Jones with 4:39 left in the contest for a go-ahead score as Concord downed West Virginia Wesleyan, 20-17, Saturday afternoon in Mountain East Conference play at Cebe Ross Field.
CU improves to 2-2 on the season both overall and in MEC action. WVWC falls to 1-3 overall and in conference play.
The Mountain Lions got off to a fast start as Novak hit redshirt freshman wide receiver
Brandon Plyler for a 34-yard touchdown pass 45 seconds into the game to put Concord up 7-0. Junior defensive back
Chaudlier Shepherd set up the touchdown with a 58-yard return on the opening kickoff.
Three plays later, senior defensive back
Akil Bordelon intercepted one of two passes on the day from Wesleyan's Ryan Deal to set up Concord at the 50-yard line. However, that drive would stall out.
The Bobcats got on the board before the end of the first quarter to knot the game, 7-7, after 15 minutes.
The first play of the second quarter was another touchdown strike from Novak to Plyler, the Fort Mill, South Carolina native's third scoring reception of the season. WVWC drove right down the field after the CU score, but Concord's defense limited Wesleyan to a field goal, making the score 13-10 with 8:59 left in the first half.
A defensive stalemate dominated the rest of the first half and the entire third quarter as CU took a 13-10 edge to the final period of play.
Deal found Ian Waddell in the back of the end zone to put the Bobcats up 17-13 with 12:31 remaining in the game.
Both teams traded punts after the WVWC score, and Concord found itself after a Wesleyan punt with the ball at its own 10-yard line and 8:48 left needed a touchdown to go ahead.
Junior running back
Nick Loftin broke a 15-yard run, the longest gain for CU rushing, to start the drive before Novak hit senior wide receiver
Jermeil Douse two plays later for a 44-yard catch and run.
Novak found Plyler to convert a critical third-and-four from Wesleyan's 25-yard line.
After three straight runs by Loftin, Novak finessed a back-shoulder throw to Jones to pull CU ahead 20-17 with 4:39 left in the contest.
The Mountain Lions needed two more stops though to defeat the Bobcats. Wesleyan had a drive stall out at its own 45-yard line, but forced CU to punt with 25 seconds left in the contest. The ensuing play after the boot resulted in Bordelon's second interception of the day as Concord held on for a three-point win.
Novak finished the day 21-for-32 for 227 yards and three touchdowns. Jones was his top target as he finished with a career-high seven receptions for 30 yards and the game-winning score. Plyler hauled in three catches for 59 yards and two scores.
Bordelon notched a team-high nine tackles, two interceptions and one pass-break-up.
Sophomore defensive lineman
Justin Noble collected six tackles, two tackles for loss and his second sack of the season.
CU returns to Callaghan Stadium for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff against Charleston October 1.
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