ATHENS, W.Va. – The Concord University football team was unable to respond to the 30 unanswered points scored by Notre Dame Saturday afternoon at Callaghan Stadium in Mountain East Conference action as CU fell 47-22.
The Mountain Lions (1-3, 1-3 MEC) held a halftime lead for the second straight week as it nursed a 22-17 advantage at the break.
Concord's first score of the game came at the 3:10 mark of the first quarter as CU used a trick play—a 29-yard touchdown pass from sophomore wide receiver
Tywan Pearce to junior wide receiver
Brandon Plyler to grab an 8-0 lead. Pearce completed the scoring with a two-point rushing conversion.
Just over a minute later, Notre Dame (4-0, 4-0 MEC) booted through a 39-yard field to get on the board.
Down 10-8 midway through the second quarter, freshman running back
Josh Maxwell rumbled 15 yards for his third touchdown of the season to give Concord a 15-10 edge with 7:07 remaining in the first half.
There would be two more lead changes in the action-packed first half.
At the 5:01 mark, NDC's Jaleel McLaughlin broke open for a 23-yard touchdown rush. Before halftime, Concord methodically marched down field. Junior quarterback
Kyle Akin ended the drive with a four-yard touchdown pass to Plyler to cap an eight-play, 50-yard drive to give Concord a 22-17 lead with just 1:21 remaining in the first half.
The Mountain Lions maintained the five-point advantage at halftime.
Receiving the ball out of the intermission, Notre Dame scored at the 11:35 mark of the third quarter to regain a 24-22 lead. On the ensuing Concord possession, the Falcons snatched an interception—the game's only turnover--inside CU territory to go, and capitalized with a touchdown to lead 31-22.
The next CU possession ended with a punt, but a snap over the head of sophomore quarterback
Adam Fulton on the punt attempt and produced a safety. After the safety, NDC led 33-22 on its way to the 47-22 victory.
Saturday was a career day for Plyler. The Fort Mill, South Carolina native produced career bests in receptions (nine), yards (122) while recording his fourth career multi-touchdown game of his career.
Plyler became the first CU receiver to go over 100 yards in receptions in 14 games.
Akin finished the day 13-for-25 for 136 yards to go along with one touchdown and one interception.
Senior linebacker
Zach Malone notched 11 tackles. Junior defensive lineman
Ryan Gatrell tallied a career-best seven tackles.
Despite being held to 36 yards receiving, Pearce totaled 183 all-purpose to go along with his first career touchdown toss.
The Mountain Lions hit the road next week when they travel to Shepherd 12:00 p.m. Saturday.
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