Jalen Ferguson’s Record Day Leads Lenoir-Rhyne to Playoff Upset Over West Alabama

Quarterback Jalen Ferguson had a career day, Jake Brown hit a clutch fourth-quarter field goal and Lenoir-Rhyne upset West Alabama 37-34 in the opening round of the D2 football playoffs on Saturday.

Ferguson, a redshirt junior from Clemmons (West Forsyth HS), became the first player in Lenoir-Rhyne’s 105-year history to throw for more than 400 yards in a single game. His 411-yard, three-touchdown effort shattered Sean White’s previous school record of 398 yards. It’s one of the most prolific passing performances in our state this season among all divisions.

Adonis McDaniel was Ferguson’s primary weapon, hauling in seven catches for 202 yards and two touchdowns, including a game-changing 78-yard TD strike late in the third quarter. McDaniel’s performance marked only the third time in LR Bears program history a receiver eclipsed 200 yards in a game and the first time it has happened in a Bears’ playoff contest.

Story of the Game

West Alabama struck first with a 42-yard touchdown pass from Spencer Arceneaux to Tyler Walker midway through the first quarter. Ferguson responded with a 4-yard touchdown run, leveling the score at 7-7.

The Tigers regained the lead early in the second quarter on a 15-yard end-around run. Ferguson answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to McDaniel, but West Alabama’s explosive offense struck back quickly, building a 27-14 lead following a blocked punt and a one-play scoring drive.

Lenoir-Rhyne clawed back late in the first half. A forced fumble by JT Black set up a Malik Simmons 9-yard touchdown reception. Jake Brown’s 32-yard field goal cut the deficit to 27-24 at halftime.

West Alabama extended their lead to 34-24 in the third quarter with Arceneaux’s 61-yard touchdown run. The Bears countered with another Brown field goal and Ferguson’s 78-yard bomb to McDaniel to tie the game at 34-34 with 1:59 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter, Jake Brown’s 25-yard field goal with 4:46 remaining gave the Bears their first lead of the game at 37-34. Damien Savage helped seal the win with a crucial interception in the final minutes. West Alabama got the ball back one last time, but a 44-yard field goal attempt fell short, setting off a celebration on the visiting sidelines.

Lenoir-Rhyne won in the playoffs for the second year in a row. Last year’s team earned three victories on the way to the D2 semifinals.

Key Stats

• Jalen Ferguson (LR): 22-40, 411 yards, 3 TDs; 4-yard rushing TD
• Adonis McDaniel (LR): 7 receptions, 202 yards, 2 TDs
• Songa Yates (LR): 5 receptions, 107 yards
• West Alabama: 476 yards of total offense, held scoreless in the fourth quarter
• Jake Brown (LR): 3 field goals, including the game-winner

Historic Win for the Bears

This victory marks just the third road playoff win in Lenoir-Rhyne history, following last year’s triumphs over Benedict and Valdosta State. The Bears’ defense, led by Jaelin Willis’ 10 tackles, clamped down in the second half, allowing just seven points and shutting out the Tigers in the fourth quarter.

Up Next

The Bears (10-2) advance to face unseeded Virginia Union next Saturday in the second round of the playoffs. Virginia Union upset No. 2 seed Wingate, one of Lenoir-Rhyne’s chief conference rivals, earlier in the day, 34-31, in overtime. The time and location of next weekend’s matchup will be announced Sunday night. Both Lenoir-Rhyne and VUU were unseeded in the Super Region 2 bracket.

Scoring Summary: Lenoir-Rhyne 37, West Alabama 34

1st Quarter

• 10:02 – UWA: Tyler Walker 42-yard pass from Spencer Arceneaux (Guyton kick). (UWA 7-0)
• 6:36 – LRU: Jalen Ferguson 4-yard run (Brown kick). (7-7)

2nd Quarter

• 14:08 – UWA: Dearrius Nelson 15-yard run (Guyton kick). (UWA 14-7)
• 10:24 – LRU: Adonis McDaniel 3-yard pass from Ferguson (Brown kick). (14-14)
• 8:12 – UWA: Devontae Causey 17-yard run (Kick failed). (UWA 20-14)
• 7:04 – UWA: Nelson 13-yard pass from Arceneaux (Guyton kick). (UWA 27-14)
• 2:30 – LRU: Malik Simmons 9-yard pass from Ferguson (Brown kick). (UWA 27-21)
• 0:37 – LRU: Jake Brown 32-yard field goal. (UWA 27-24)

3rd Quarter

• 9:42 – UWA: Arceneaux 61-yard run (Guyton kick). (UWA 34-24)
• 5:21 – LRU: Brown 38-yard field goal. (UWA 34-27)
• 1:59 – LRU: McDaniel 78-yard pass from Ferguson (Brown kick). (34-34)

4th Quarter

• 4:46 – LRU: Brown 25-yard field goal. (LRU 37-34)

Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 37, West Alabama 34

This story was compiled and written with the assistance of ChatGPT. All content at NC Football News is edited and reviewed by real humans. Visit LRBears.com for more on Lenoir-Rhyne football.