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Talking about starting off with a bang.
The University of West Florida football team took care of business to open the 2024 season with a 38-6 win over McKendree University on Thursday at Pen Air Field.
Coming out strong with a three-touchdown first half, UWF allowed just three first downs from the Bearcats. The Argos kept their foot on the gas pedal with a strong red zone offense thanks to a couple big punt returns from Virgil Lemons III.
All three of the touchdowns in the first half were from within five yards. Jamontez Woods ran the first touchdown in from 4 yards out and the second touchdown from 1 yard out. Jay Sharp converted a 1-yard run later in the second quarter – but that game after a 90-yard, seven-minute drive.
“I told Virgil, ‘If you can give me every offensive possession starting inside the (5-yard line), I’m the best play-caller in the world. It’ll be pretty easy for us to score,” UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles said after the game. “I’m excited how special teams performed tonight.”
Lemon’s punt returns were for 86 yards and 61 yards. The latter resulted in a fumble that went forward, and sophomore Kamrin Canterbury chased after the ball to gain a few more crucial yards. It was almost like the Argos drew it up.
“We work on that every Wednesday. Fumble forward, pick it up and run another 20 yards. That’s exactly how we practice it,” Nobles said with a laugh. “I’m thankful our guy chased the ball and made a big play.”
“Exactly how we drew it up,” Lemons said with a smile.
Following a defensive third quarter that featured just a 24-yard field goal from Cade Lombardo, the Argos tacked on a pair of touchdowns – a 4-yard run from quarterback Michael Rich Jr. and then a 27-yard pick-6 from Ralph Ortiz – to close out the game.
UWF did allow a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter for a touchdown after…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/thankful-good-win-uwf-football-041408971.html
Author : Pensacola News Journal
Publish date : 2024-09-06 04:14:08
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