Noah Bell threw for two touchdowns and ran for another, helping Wingate football win its season opener 30-7 over visiting Albany State on Friday afternoon.
Bell, a redshirt sophomore from Saluda, S.C., led the Bulldogs in passing (14-for-21, 236 yards, no interceptions) and rushing (60 yards on nine carries) in his debut as the Wingate starter.
The Bulldogs defense, one of the best in Division II last season, proved stout once again, holding Albany State to 74 rushing yards. Coach Joe Reich’s team had the shutout going until the final three minutes.
Bell got the ‘Dogs on the board just 20 seconds into the game with a 2-yard touchdown run. Alexander Wilson pushed the lead to 14-0 a few minutes later with a 23-yard touchdown scamper.
A Caleb Bonesteel field goal from 31 yards pushed the margin to 17-0 by halftime. Tremel Jones caught Bell’s first touchdown pass, scoring from 62 yards. Matt Flanders earned a 25-yard TD reception to push the lead to 30-0.
A huge South Atlantic Conference clash awaits Wingate next. The Bulldogs visit Mars Hill, champions of the Mountain Division in 2022, on Thursday night. The game is set to kick off at 7 p.m.
Key Bulldogs
– Alex Wilson finished with 48 rushing yards
– Tremel Jones had four receptions for 86 yards, adding 30 rushing yards
– Matt Flanders had three catches for 44 yards and a touchdown
– Damian Sutton added 58-yard grab
– Carlos Estronza and Evan McCray had two catches each for 37 and 27 yards, respectively
– Jaheim Mullen led the ‘Dogs with eight tackles, including a tackle for loss, adding a break-up
– Orinthius Byrd added eight stops and a fumble recovery
– Dontorian Best had seven tackles with a TFL
– Marquise Fleming notched five stops and a forced fumble
– Jaquan Edwards had four tackles with 2.5 TFLs, two sacks and two forced fumbles
– Mondjou Berte added a sack
More Wingate Notes
– The Bulldogs are coming off a program-record 11 wins in 2022
– Wingate is now 58-17 overall in the last seven fall seasons
– The ‘Dogs are 78-38 at Irwin Belk Stadium since 2001
– The Bulldogs have won 38 of their last 39 games when scoring at least 30 points
– WU has scored at least 30 points 27 times since the beginning of 2018
– Wingate held nine opponents to 10 points or less in 2022
(SOURCE: WingateBulldogs.com)
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1st 2nd 3rd 4th Final Albany St. (GA) 0 0 0 7 7 Winner Wingate 14 3 13 0 30 Qtr Time Scoring Play ALB WIN 1st 14:40… WIN – Bell,Noah 2 yd run (Bonesteel,Caleb kick), 1 plays, 11 yards, TOP 00:13 0 7 1st 11:15 WIN – Wilson,Alexander 23 yd run (Bonesteel,Caleb kick), 6 plays, 69 yards, TOP 00:55 0 14 2nd 03:59 WIN – Bonesteel,Caleb 31 yd field goal 12 plays, 75 yards, TOP 07:19 0 17 3rd 14:00 WIN – Jones,Tremel 62 yd pass from Bell,Noah ( ) 3 plays, 66 yards, TOP 00:55 0 23 3rd 02:09 WIN – Flanders,Matt 25 yd pass from Bell,Noah (Bonesteel,Caleb kick) 6 plays, 62 yards, TOP 02:05 0 30 4th… 02:03 ALB – Gaines,Frederick 12 yd pass from Doe,Jim (Mashburn,Eli kick) 11 plays, 80 yards, TOP 03:46 7 30 7 30
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