Anderson Football loses to Barton in its first ever away game

WILSON, NC (Anderson Athletics) – Redshirt junior Jalon Warthen-Carr (Macon, Ga.) scored the first kick return touchdown in program history in the third quarter when he took the ball 96 yards to the house, but the football team’s Anderson University (2-2, 0-2 SAC) failed to pick up its first conference win as it fell 27-13 to Barton (2-2, 1-1 SAC) on Saturday, September 28th.

Redshirt freshman Riley Willis (Apopka, Fla.) made his first start under center for the Black and Gold and scored the only other score for the Trojans when he came in from three yards out as time expired in the fourth quarter. Willis went 12 of 26 for 80 yards in the contest and added 48 yards on the ground. Warthen-Carr was also the Trojans’ leading receiver on the day, hauling in five catches for 35 yards. Redshirt junior Monz Campbell (Lake Waccamaw, NC) led the Trojans on the ground, catching 21 throws for 78 yards.

Redshirt junior Jerrod Woods (Leesburg, Ga.) and redshirt freshman Carter Wit (Johns Creek, Ga.) led the Black and Gold’s defensive effort, each recording 10 tackles on the day, while Woods recorded two TFLs. Redshirt freshman Josiah Jeffery (Greenwood, S.C.) intercepted a pass at the line that ended up in the hands of redshirt freshman Josh Peacock (Grovetown, Ga.), who caught his first collegiate interception. Junior Triston Lyon (Gainesville, Ga.) averaged 43.6 yards on his five punts, including a long of 56.

The first half of the game was hard fought for both sides as neither team was able to post any points on the field in the first 15 minutes of play, although momentum was slightly on the Trojans’ side late in the quarter as Peacock’s interception brought a quick approach to Barton’s Best field position so far at halftime. Both teams’ offenses began to find their rhythm in the second quarter as the Trojans managed to put together a 61-yard drive that stalled at the Barton 31-yard line due to a failed fourth down conversion. Barton took advantage of this opportunity and got their first points with just one move and went into halftime with a 7-0 lead.

After the first two drives of the second half ended with no points, the next three drives each yielded touchdowns as the Bulldogs snagged Warthen-Carr’s 96-yard return to extend their lead to 20-7. In the final 15 minutes of the fourth quarter, Anderson tried to convert on fourth down and close the gap, but the Bulldogs were able to score on their final drive of the contest before Willis led a two-minute drill down the field, taking it all in, as zeros appeared on the scoreboard and Barton took the 27-13 victory.

Anderson looks to regroup and recover for their first homecoming game next week when they welcome Catawba to Melvin and Dollie Younts Stadium for a 2 p.m. kickoff.

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