North Carolina Wesleyan scores in final minute, holds on for 35-28 win over Thomas More in season opener

NKyTribune staff

Nate Gardner tossed a 46-yard touchdown pass to Trey Lancaster with just 46 seconds remaining to give North Carolina Wesleyan a 35-28 win over Thomas More on Saturday at Rocky Mount, N.C.

Thomas More (0-1) had rallied from a 21-0 first-half deficit and tied the score at 28-all with 3:07 remaining in the game on a 24-yard touchdown run by Hjavier Pitts. After both teams exchanged punts, North Carolina Wesleyan took possession at the Thomas More 46-yard line with 53 seconds left on the clock.

On first down, Gardner found Lancaster for a 46-yard scoring pass. The extra point gave North Carolina Wesleyan a 35-28 lead with just 46 seconds remaining.

Thomas More had one final drive and the Saints marched deep into North Carolina Wesleyan territory. On fourth down at the North Carolina Wesleyan 27-yard line, Justin Post’s pass went incomplete and the Battling Bishops (1-0) held on for the season-opening victory.

North Carolina Wesleyan finished with 497 total yards, including 338 yards through the air. Lancaster hauled in 11 receptions for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns, while Gardner was 23-for-38 in passing with 338 yards.

Pitts rushed the ball 19 times for 121 yards to pace the Thomas More ground attack. Post finished 18-for-34 passing with 238 yards and two touchdowns. Logan Winkler caught four passes for 76 yards and a touchdown, while Pitts added four receptions for 56 yards. The Saints offense gained 435 total yards with two turnovers.

North Carolina Wesleyan bolted to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter behind three touchdown passes from Gardner. Thomas More responded with a scoring pass from Post to Nick Hall to make it a 21-7 score at the half.

The game marked the debut for Trevor Stellman, who is in his first season as the Thomas More head coach. Stellman spent eight years as an assistant coach for the Saints, including six seasons as offensive coordinator.

Thomas More visits Hanover next Saturday at 1:30 p.m.

Thomas More……..0-7-7-14 —28
N.C. Wesleyan…..14-7-0-14 —35

Scoring Summary:
NCW-Ben Dorfman 14 yd pass from Nate Gardner (Caleb Mann kick)
NCW-Trey Lancaster 31 yd pass from Nate Gardner (Caleb Mann kick)
NCW-Dupre Falls 13 yd pass from Nate Gardner (Caleb Mann kick)
TM-Nick Hall 8 yd pass from Justin Post (Cole Mathias kick)
TM-Luke Zajac 11 yd run (Cole Mathias kick)
NCW-Nate Gardner 5 yd run (Caleb Mann kick)
TM-Logan Winkler 30 yd pass from Justin Post (Cole Mathias kick)
TM-Hjavier Pitts 24 yd run (Cole Mathias kick)
NCW-Trey Lancaster 46 yd pass from Nate Gardner (Caleb Mann kick)

(Information compiled from Thomas More Athletic Communications and staff reports)