BUENA VISTA, Va. — Coming off a tough loss two weeks ago, a game against Southern Virginia is just what Wesley College needed.
The Wolverines erupted for 28 second-quarter points and rolled from there, eventually posting a 63-9 victory over the Knights in New Jersey Athletic Conference football on Saturday afternoon.
Wesley (2-1 NJAC, 2-2 overall) is now 6-0 all-time against Southern Virginia (0-3, 1-3). The Wolverines’ 14-point loss to Christopher Newport on Sept. 17 knocked them out of the Division III Top 25 for the first time in several years.
But Wesley, which had an open date last week, cruised to the victory against the Knights as senior running back Jamar Baynard ran for 162 yards and five touchdowns on 18 carries.
Freshman E.J. Lee added 91 yards on 14 carries and scored a pair of TDs as the Wolverines outgained Southern Virginia by a margin of 537 yards to 183.
Only two of Wesley’s nine scoring plays were for more than 11 yards. Bryce Shade caught a 27-yard scoring pass from Dan Kesack before Lee pulled in a 28-yard TD pass from Nick Falkenberg.
Falkenberg was 10-of-15 for 114 yards while Kesack was 3-for-8 for 113 yards. Shade pulled in a game-high six receptions for 163 yards.
Cornerback Andre Connally had a team-high 12 tackles with linebacker Mike Sabino adding 11.
Wesley turned the ball over only once — on an interception — but was called for 19 penalties totalling 167 yards. The Wolverines had 25 first downs to Southern Virginia’s nine.
Wesley returns home next week to host the College of New Jersey on Saturday at 1 p.m. It’s the Wolverines’ Homecoming game.