football
Dallas Renzi, research associate for sports communication
HICKORY, NC – Lenoir-Rhyne will face the Tiffin University Dragons at home this Saturday, September 14. Both teams come into this matchup with a 1-0 record, with #8 Lenoir-Rhyne defeating Bowie State 32-19 and (RV) Tiffin defeating Wayne State (MI) 31-17. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
This will be the first time in school history that the Bears and Dragons will face each other. Additionally, it will also be the first time the Bears will play an opponent from the current G-MAC conference, which consists of schools in Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan.
Notes:
Summary of the home game opener: Head Coach Doug Socha earned his first win with the Bears last Saturday, defeating Bowie State between the posts 32-19. Zayvion Turner-Knox went and finished the game with a career-high 204 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Jalen Ferguson was no pushover, throwing 17 of 27 passes for 270 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Preseason All-Conference Pick Songa Yates led the team in receiving yards with five receptions for 109 yards. On the defensive side of the ball, Senior Andre Jefferson finished the game with seven tackles, four quarterback hurries, two tackles for loss, one sack and one blocked PAT. Damien Savage And Chris Brown Both intercepted a ball and made seven tackles together against the Bulldogs. This was the Bears’ sixth home win in a row.
Career highlights and recognitions: Zayvion Turner-KnoxThe best day on the ground was the 12th best all-time in Lenoir-Rhyne history. He also rushed for the most yards in the conference and the third most in NCAA DII in week one. Andre Jefferson was named SAC Defensive Player of the Week. Jefferson’s 30.5 career sacks put him third in SAC history and he is one sack away from claiming sole possession of second place.
Opponent profile: Tiffin opened its 2024 season last week with a 31-17 win over Wayne State (MI). The Dragons’ defense forced six sacks and five turnovers, including three interceptions and two fumbles. The defense held Wayne State to just 1.2 yards per carry and 2 of 10 third-down conversions. On offense, Alex Johnson threw passes for 229 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. Ronald Blackman led the Dragons’ backfield in the running game with 108 yards on the ground. The Dragons are coming off a strong season, finishing with a record of 11-1 (9-0 G-MAC). The Dragons went undefeated in the regular season and averaged 43.67 PPG, which ranked first in the G-MAC conference. Last season, Kason Martin led the Dragons’ air attack with over 1,600 passing yards, and Devin Nelson led the Dragons in the running game with 804 yards. The Dragons’ season ended in the second round of the NCAA Division II Championship against #15 Slippery Rock with a 45-35 home loss.
Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2024: Lenoir-Rhyne will induct seven student-athletes, one coach, one contributor and two teams into its Sports Hall of Fame as the Class of 2024. Ed Byrd (contributor), Tracy Naidas Coleman (women’s basketball), Catherine Glass (volleyball), Kent George (men’s golf), Michael Green (football), Dawon Millwood (softball), Josh Rudder (men’s basketball), Todd Starkey (coach and contributor) and Isaiah Whitaker (football) will make up the class. The 2010 women’s soccer team and the 2013 football team were named Teams of Distinction. A ceremony honoring these inductees will be held prior to the football game at 10:00 a.m. in the PE Monroe Auditorium. The ceremony is open to the public. The nine inductees, as well as the 2010 women’s soccer teams and the 2013 football teams, will also be honored during the game.
Cranford Hospitality Field Level VIP Experience: The newly introduced Cranford Hospitality Field Level VIP Experience was a hit last weekend. The experience takes place under the video board and behind the open end zone and includes catered food from Cranford Hospitality’s culinary team and exclusive beverage options from City Walk Brewing, all in the best seat in the house. To view this week’s menu, click HERE. Tickets are on sale one time this week for only $40. To purchase tickets for this experience, go to lrbears.com/tickets. Select Football vs. Tiffin and when you click the “Buy Today” option, a simulation of the field will appear. Click the red “Field Level” option in the bottom left to secure your seat in the best seat in the house.
