The Unofficial Wingate University Athletics Blog

Bulldogs have no bite vs Lenoir Rhyne
 9-23-13

A group of loyal Wingate fans gathered at a familiar roadside restaurant on the road to Hickory, NC. They were on their way to watch their beloved Bulldogs play the Bears of Lenoir Rhyne. There was hope and fellowship among them as they enjoyed a nice meal and pleasant conversation.

A steady rain had fallen throughout the day and continued into the early evening.

"The Bears had trouble hanging onto the ball in their first game" said one. "They fumbled 8 times against Concord University"

"Surely our defense can cause them to cough up the ball on a wet field. The ball gets awfully slippery as the game wears on" said another. "A wet field is the worst enemy of the triple option offense".

It wasn't to be. 

Lenoir Rhyne did hang onto the ball and put up some impressive numbers against the Bulldogs. the most impressive being the final score of 34 - 13. The Bears ran for 422 yards and threw the ball only twice, completing one pass. They averaged almost 8 yards per running play. They had the big plays: a 49 yard breakaway by fullback Isaiah Whitaker for a first quarter score and a 56 yard scamper by tailback Miles Freeman. Their defense kept pressure on Wingate quarterback Robbie Nalenweg and stopped the Bulldog running game. 

There were some bright moments for the Wingate fans. Nallenweg found 10 different receivers for a total of 324 yards and one touchdown. For the second week in a row Forest Hills graduate, tight end Mark Clyburn caught a Nallenweg aerial for a touchdown. For the second week in a row runningback Mycah Gaylord dove headfirst into the endzone for the second score. Punter Austin Anthony had a big night in Hickory. He averaged 41 yards per punt and his longest went for 47 yards. The Wingate defensive line seemed to gel into a cohesive unit late in the game stopping the dive plays and containing the runners. 

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never is, but always to be blessed:

The soul, uneasy and confined from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.  

- Alexander Pope, "An Essay on Man"

The Bulldogs travel again Saturday afternoon as they head east on US 74 to play Pembroke.