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D3 Roundup: Methodist QB breaks career passing mark; Guilford takes over top spot

Brandon Bullins has thrown for more than 9,000 career yards

Eric Lusk

Published

September 3, 2023

Methodist quarterback Brandon Bullins has thrown for more than 9,000 career yards. (Photo by Mike Atherton/d3photography.com, courtesy MUMonarchs.com).

Guilford College vaults into the top spot in our Best In State Division III power rankings this week.

The Quakers, fourth in our preseason poll, were the only D3 team to post a win during the opening weekend of action, surging past Greensboro College 36-21 in the latest version of the Gate City Soup Bowl.

Guilford has now won seven straight against its crosstown rival.

The Quakers take over for Brevard in the top spot. The Tornados likely would have held on to No. 1 had they been able to complete a furious comeback against visiting Warner on Saturday.

Brevard erased a 23-3 halftime deficit and tied the game 23-23 with a Hugo Taylor field goal with nine ticks left. Warner returned an interception for a touchdown during overtime to seal the 29-23 win in the first ever meeting between the schools.

Methodist drops down a spot to No. 3 for now after losing at Shenandoah 44-29, but this will be a team to watch as the season progresses. Quarterback Brandon Bullins set the Methodist career passing record (see more below under Saturday Superlatives).

The Monarchs outgained Shenandoah 406-370 and dominated time of possession 38:13 to 21:47. The game stayed close throughout the first three quarters, with the Hornets taking a 23-21 lead into the final period. But two quick scoring drives to open the fourth quarter proved the difference.

Methodist got within 37-29 with 4:10 to go after a Keyshaun Pete 4-yard TD run. The Monarchs got the ball back, but Shenandoah’s Melvin Irby intercepted a pass and returned it 30 yards for the final margin.

No. 4 NC Wesleyan faced a tough opening day opponent, 15th ranked Randolph Macon. The Battling Bishops fell 51-9 after being outgained 493-203. Zach Marquis threw a touchdown pass to Deondre Hill for NC Wesleyan’s lone touchdown in the third quarter. Braxtyn Green hit a 24-yard field goal.

No. 5 Greensboro led Guilford for a half and had spurts of solid defense, picking off three passes and recording four sacks.

With a lot of season left to be played, expect plenty of turnover in our D3 power rankings as no team has yet to assert itself as the state’s most dominant in the non-scholarship division.

D3 Saturday Superlatives

Ethan Beamish (Brevard)

Finished 29-of-44 for 298 yards passing and a touchdown pass in his Brevard debut.

Brandon Bullins (Methodist)

Completed 31 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns (against three interceptions) to set the new school record for career passing yards. Bullins now has 9,113 passing yards with 70 touchdowns. The previous career mark had been held by Max Reber (8,868 yards).

Ronechie Carter (NC Wesleyan)

Led the Battling Bishops with 10 tackles.

Nick Iannone (Guilford)

Earned two sacks and had nine tackles in the Soup Bowl win over Greensboro.

Keyshaun Pete (Methodist)

Earned an even 100 yards against Shenandoah to push him over 2,000 rushing yards for his collegiate career. He also made a team-high seven catches for 56 receiving yards. Pete scored three TDs on the day.