CLINTON, S.C.
- Senior Myron Gary
threw for a career-high 153 yards and two touchdowns while redshirt-senior Trandon
Dendy scampered for a career-high 162 yards on 18 carries and two scores,
helping Presbyterian College record its most dominant performance in Division I
history with a 42-6 victory over Davidson Saturday night.
The Blue Hose conclude the 2010 season with a 2-9 record. The Wildcats end the
year at 3-8.
The 42 points scored by head coach Harold Nichols' team is the most points PC
has put on the board since a 45-21 victory over VMI on Oct. 13, 2007. The six
points allowed by the stingy Blue Hose defense was the fewest allowed in their
Division I history. The last time PC gave up fewer than six points was in the
Bronze Derby finale against Newberry - a 10-0 shutout on Nov. 11, 2006.
PC opened the game on the seven-yard line after a penalty on the opening
kick-off. Myron Gary helped matriculate the Blue Hose down the field. On
third-and-eight at the 19, Gary rocketed a pass down the field to Patrick McKoy
for 29 yards, giving the home team a first down. Four plays later, Dendy had
rushed for 40 yards as the ball sat at the 12. An eight-yard touchdown strike to Jeremy Cole gave PC a quick 7-0 lead.
After forcing the Wildcats to a quick
three-and-out, the Blue Hose struck again. On its own 22, PC went for 12 yards
on first down. Then, after two rushing plays, Gary hit Michael Ruff in stride
for a 69-yard touchdown - the longest touchdown in either player's PC career.
Davidson roared right back. Starting on its own 29, the team connected on a
five-play, 71-yard scoring drive to pull within 14-6. The extra point clanged
off the upright, leaving PC with an eight-point edge.
The Blue Hose started driving on their own 30 - and essentially put the ball in
Dendy's hands. On the nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive Dendy went for 36 yards,
including the last three for the score. On the drive, Robert Bumgarner nabbed a
36-yard reception from Gary for his longest reception of the season. He was
able to get the ball to the seven before a pack of Wildcats took him down.
Neither team was able to get on the board the last 13:13 of the opening half,
leaving the ledger saying 21-6 in favor of the home squad at the break.
It was not until PC's second drive of the second half that the scoreboard
changed. The Blue Hose took over with 10:08 to go in the third and handed the
ball off to Dendy for a six-yard gain. After a two-yard rush by Dendy, he left
Davidson in his dust, darting 63 yards for the touchdown. The drive covered 71
yards over three plays - all of which came from Dendy's fast feet.
The Wildcats tried to answer, but Antarius Terrell recorded his second pick of
the season. Terrell intercepted it at the 25 and returned it 48 yards to the
Davidson 27.
On first-and-10 after the interception, Ryan Singer looked to his left and
found Ruff for his second touchdown of the day. Cam Miller's extra point made
it 35-6.
When it looked like Davidson would reach double figures, the defense once again
stepped up. On fourth-and-goal from the two, Brian Wilson forced a fumble that
Jarrod Watts recovered. The Blue Hose drove to the 49 before stalling.
Patrick Morgano launched a punt to the 16. There, Justin Williams fumbled the
ball and junior Justin Bethel pounced on it at the 17.
Nichols decided to keep the ball on the ground. Gary rushed for a seven-yard
gain. Then, Byrd ran three straight times, the last of which covered two yards -
which helped PC push the score to 42-6.
For the game, PC totaled 478 yards to 202 by Davidson. The Blue Hose piled up
243 yards rushing and 235 through the air.
In addition to Gary's 153 yards passing, Singer connected on seven passes for
82 yards and a score. Ruff led all receivers with 96 yards and two scores.
In addition to Dendy's 162 yards and two touchdowns, Byrd went for 86 yards on
16 carries. Byrd surpassed the 1,000 career mark on the ground.
Leading the defense was Brian Davis, who accounted for five tackles, three of
which went for a loss. Davis had two sacks for 19 lost yards. Bethel also had
five solo stops and a fumble recovery. CeeJay Harris wrapped up five players
and had a tackle for loss.
Overall, the defense had three sacks (Bryan Shepherd had the other) and 11
tackles for loss (for 43 lost yards). The team also had three pass break-ups and
a quarterback hurry.
"I am proud of our team," Nichols said. "It feels good to end the season with a
win. We are able to take some momentum into the off-season.
"We are on a journey. This team has played a lot of close games and we have
played well at times. The team has made great strides that are not always seen
on the scoreboard.
"I am proud of our kids to get a home win in the season finale. I am proud of
our seniors for their leadership and effort. I told them how much PC is in debt
to them for their hard work and effort. They laid the groundwork for the next
part of our journey."
