FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – In the first round of the local Cape Fear football battle, Methodist University came out on top 32-21 over Campbell University. Methodist starts the season 1-0 while Campbell drops to 0-2 in their first season of football since 1950.

 

The Monarchs started early with a 42 yard drive to the Campbell 26-yard line before sophomore Mario Miralles (Hialeah, Fla., Hialeah) converted the 43-yard field goal attempt for the 3-0 lead. The Camels picked up a first down on their first possession but were forced to punt and Methodist freshman Chris Smith (Pompano Beach, Fla., Coconut Creek High School) blocked the punt for sophomore Daniel Burack (Loxahatchee, Fla., Glades Day) to recover on the Campbell 39-yard line. The Monarchs reached the Campbell five yard line and Miralles hit 22-yard field goal for the 6-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

 

Methodist had the ball again on the Campbell nine yard line early in the second quarter for Miralles to hit the 27-yard field goal. The Methodist defense held Campbell to just two first downs in the second quarter, but the Monarchs' offense stalled as well leaving Methodist with the 9-0 lead at halftime.

 

In the third quarter Miralles capped off a nine play, 44-yard drive with another 43-yard field goal. His fourth of the day, Miralles broke the Methodist record for field goals in a game. Campbell took over on their own 18-yard line, but a fumble recovery by Burack in the end zone gave Methodist their first touchdown of the game. Miralles scored the extra point for the 19-0 lead.  The defense came through again on the Camels' next possession as senior Antonio Bartee (Gainesville, Fla., Santa Fe) intercepted Campbell quarterback Wesley Snow's pass and finished with a 39-yard return for the score. After a failed snap, the Monarchs led 25-0. 

 

Campbell responded with a touchdown on a 2-yard run from Carl Smith after an 80-yard drive closing the gap to 25-7 at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter began with Methodist junior quarterback Erik Teague (Reidsville, N.C., Reidsville) finding sophomore Corey McGuire for a 12-yard pass to the Methodist 46-yard line. The Monarchs ran for 53 of the remaining 54 yards to score another touchdown. McGuire finished off the drive with the 15-yard run to score. Miralles gave Methodist the 32-7 lead with 10:21 to go in the game.

 

Campbell took over late behind the arm of Matt Vollono scoring two touchdowns, but Methodist still held the 32-21 lead. Campbell had one final opportunity to score, but Bartee and freshman Devoe Mewborn forced a fumble for sophomore Michael Doyne (Palm Bay, Fla., Palm Bay) to recover with 1:12 to go. Teague let the clock expire for Methodist to win their first game of the season. The Monarchs start the season 1-0 for the first time since 2004.

 

Teague finished the game 8-14 for 100 yards passing to go along with 51 yards rushing. McGuire led the rush offense with 84 yards. Junior Chris Peoples caught two passes for 46 yards including a 44-yard catch in the second quarter. Junior Demory Williams (Lincolnton, N.C., Lincolnton) led the defense with seven tackles while sophomore Darrin Gorham (Snow Hill, N.C., Greene Central) added six.

 

Vollono threw 21-39 for 252 yards for Campbell while Carl Smith rushed for 71 yards on the day. Kelvin Murphy caught four passes for 63 yards to lead the receivers. Jason Hill made six tackles to pace the defense.

 

The Monarchs will travel to Guilford next Saturday for a 7 pm kickoff at the Armfield Athletic Center.

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