Story and photo courtesy of Campbell Athletics
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Josh Williams rushed for a career-high 89 yards and Campbell defeated UVa-Wise 10-0 Saturday night at Ed Gore Field/Barker-Lane Stadium.
The Camels (1-1) held the Cavaliers to 175 yards of total offense and ran 20 more offensive plays (79-59) than the visitors.
After a scoreless first half, Campbell went 4-of-4 on fourth-down situations in the second period and registered its second shutout since the program was revived at the Division I level in 2008. The Camels outgained the Cavaliers (1-2) 320-175.
A red-shirt sophomore from Eastover, N.C., and Cape Fear High School, Williams carried the ball 21 more times (23) than he did in his first varsity season. Making his first career start, Williams averaged 3.9 yards per carry for the Camels, who held the visitors to 45 yards on the ground in 32 attempts (1.4 yards per rush).
In spite of losing a tooth on a hard tackle early in the game, senior quarterback Braden Smith completed 21 of 33 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown. Williams added four receptions for 26 yards.
Campbell’s defense was led by four players with six tackles apiece – Matt Farris, Lucas Smith (two sacks), Paul Pizzuti and Taurean Lynch. Farris and Steth Monroe each had an interception.
Sam Eberwein’s 21-yard field goal gave Campbell a 3-0 lead with 7:07 left in the third quarter. Smith’s 46-yard completion to Chad McMichael gave Campbell a 1st-and-goal at the four, but two rushes and an incompletion left set up Eberwein’s straight-on attempt from extra-point distance.
Campbell converted three fourth-down situations on a 14-play, 55-yard drive that consumed 7:01 to take a 10-0 lead. The final fourth-down conversation came when UVa-Wise was flagged for pass interference in the end zone providing the Camels with a 1st-down on the two.
On second down, Smith’s play-action pass found tight end Alex Green wide open for the game’s first touchdown. Eberwein’s PAT pushed the margin to 10-0 with 8:57 to play.
UVa-Wise starting quarterback Tye Marshall completed 10-of-20 passes for 130 yards in the opening period, but did not play in the second half while suffering from dehydration in the humid conditions. Back-up Taylor Harmon did not complete a pass in seven attempts in the final period.
Zach Cochran led the Cavs with 46 rushing yards on 13 attempts. Michel Steele had three catches for 54 yards. Derek Comer finished with a team-high 13 tackles, while A.J. Portee added 11.
Campbell was flagged only four times for 40 yards, while UVa-Wise was penalized 8 times for 169 yards.
The Camels held UVa-Wise to minus-four yards on 19 rushing attempts in a scoreless first half. Each team missed a field goal and blocked one.
With one second left in the opening half, Campbell’s Andrew Yost blocked Paul Melshen’s 50-yard attempt.
The Camels hit the road next Saturday for a 6:00 p.m. kick-off at 8th-ranked Old Dominion.