BETHANY, W.Va. — The Grove City College football team opened its Presidents’ Athletic Conference schedule Saturday afternoon with a 27-7 setback at Bethany in the rain-soaked PAC Kickoff Classic at Bison Stadium.
(Photo courtesy of Grove City Athletics)
Grove City turned over the ball six times, including two miscues that directly resulted in Bethany touchdowns.
After falling behind 7-0 early, Grove City (1-1) forged a 7-7 tie with 12:18 remaining in the first quarter when junior running back Wesley Schools (Port Jervis, N.Y./Port Jervis) scored on a two-yard touchdown run. Junior kicker Mitch Causer (Johnstown, Pa./Westmont-Hilltop) added the tying extra point.
Bethany took a 14-7 lead at the 9:49 mark of the first quarter when Will Gatling returned an interception 45 yards for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Raekwon Wright scored on a 10-yard run for Bethany and Kiandre Murphy recovered a mishandled punt snap in the end zone to close the scoring.
Schools led Grove City with 52 rushing yards on 19 carries. He had rushed for 100 yards or more in eight straight games prior to Saturday. Junior quarterback Randall Labrie (McKees Rocks, Pa./Montour) completed 8 of 20 passes for 109 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Cody Gustafson (Shippensburg, Pa./Shippensburg) grabbed five passes for 68 yards.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Brent Engleman (Milton, Pa./Milton) led Grove City with a career-high 11 tackles. Sophomore safety Patrick Mark (Palm Beach Gardens, Fla./Wellington) had nine stops.
Senior outside linebacker Ethan Conto (Bruin, Pa./Karns City) had eight tackles, including three for loss. He also had a half-sack, as did sophomore end Thomas Ellis (Round Hill, Va./Woodgrove). Ellis had eight total tackles. Senior inside linebacker Sam Henson (Cranberry Township, Pa./Seneca Valley) recorded a sack.
Senior safety Daniel Jackson (Brookfield, Conn./Brookfield) picked off a pass for the second consecutive week.
Bethany outgained Grove City 342-167. Bethany also held a 36:14-23:46 edge in time of possession. Wright led Bethany with 127 rushing yards on 23 carries.
Grove City returns to action next Saturday night when the Wolverines host Case Western Reserve in conference play at Robert E. Thorn Field. Kickoff is 7 p.m.
