Football: Bethany falls to W&J in season opener

BETHANY, W.Va. – The Bethany College football team opened the 2023 season at home on Don Ault Field at Bison Stadium against Washington & Jefferson College Saturday afternoon.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

• Both teams struggled offensively in their opening drives exchanging punts.
• Washington & Jefferson found the end-zone first on their second drive after a 63-yard touchdown pass with 6:39 to go in the first quarter.
• W&J would take a 14-0 lead after one quarter of play.
• In the second quarter, the Presidents' continued to add to their lead, jumping out 21-0 with 14:03 to go in the half and extended the lead 28-0 with 8:03.
• On the next Bethany drive, the Bison began to move the ball down the field. Finally in Presidents' territory, Kayrus Sam completed a 12-yard pass to Trevon Dean for a Bison touchdown. After the extra point attempt from Jack Sella, the Bison trailed 28-7 with 5:01 to go in the half.
• The Presidents would answer back extending the lead, 35-7.
• Bethany made another move down the field entering W&J territory. Sam found Tim Mickens who broke a Presidents' tackle to run for a 27-yard touchdown, unfortunately for the Bison, it would get overturned with Micken's fumbling out of the back of the end-zone for a touchback.
• The Presidents' scored just once in the second half and maintained their dominant lead over the Bison.

BY THE NUMBERS

• (514) W&J had a total of 514 yards of offense.
• (306) Bethany had 306 yards of offense, with 241 in the air.
• (9) The Bison had nine penalties for 85-yards compared to the Presidents' three for 19-yards.

LEADERS

• Kayrus Sam threw for 193 yards on 17-of-24 completions.
• Charlie Mills led the Bison with 73 yards rushing.
• Defensively, Shawn Wheeler led the Bison with 11 tackles (five solo) and one forced fumble. Tsi Fofang led the Bison with three tackles for loss with two sacks.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Bethany returns to action on Saturday, Sept. 16 in Greenville, Pa. against Thiel for a 1 pm kickoff.