H-SC | Athletics: Football

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, VA (September 29, 2007)—Hampden-Sydney College racked up 643 total yards of offense in a come-from-behind victory, 38-31, over ODAC-rival Bridgewater College on Saturday at Everett Stadium. Junior running back Josh Simpson (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) rushed for 138 yards and scored three touchdowns for the Tigers in the winning effort. With the victory, Hampden-Sydney improves to 4-1 on the season and 2-0 in the ODAC, while the Eagles fall to 4-1 overall and 0-1 in the conference.

Hampden-Sydney tallied 166 yards on the ground and 477 yards in the air as the Tigers defeated the Eagles for the first time since 1998. Hampden-Sydney was led by Simpson as he had 138 yards rushing on 32 carries and three rushing touchdowns to go with seven catches for 79 yards and one receiving touchdown. Philip Carter led the Eagles rushing attack with a game high 177 yards on 24 carries and three scores.

In the first quarter, Hampden-Sydney took 14-7 advantage as Corey Sedlar (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) and Simpson scored on rushing touchdowns. Bridgewater's Philip Carter returned a kickoff 98 yards for the Eagles only touchdown in the period.

The second quarter was much of the same as both teams moved the ball against the other. With the score tied, 21-21, T.C. Stevens (Alton, VA/Halifax) made a 33 yard field goal to give the Tigers a three-point advantage with 2:00 remaining until half. Bridgewater went on a ten play, 58 yard drive, scoring on a Luke Taylor 25 yard field goal to tie the game at the half, 24-24.

In the third quarter, Bridgewater took the lead on a Philip Carter touchdown run, giving the Eagles the 31-24 lead with only 3:08 remaining in the quarter. With 6:15 remaining in the fourth, the Tigers scored to cut the lead to one, 31-30, but had a failed 2-point conversion attempt. After holding the Eagles on the next possession, Hampden-Sydney drove 90 yards on ten plays to score and take a 38-31 lead.

Attempting to lead a late drive of his own, Bridgewater's Jeff Highfill threw a pass over his wide receiver's head and into the arms of senior linebacker Kyle Booker (Gloucester, VA/Fork Union) to seal the victory for the Tigers.

On the afternoon, Sedlar completed 37-of-49 passes for 477 yards and two interceptions. Sedlar's 37 completions set a Hampden-Sydney single game record. For the Eagles, Highfill finished the afternoon completing 19-of-28 passes for 228 yards and three picks. Senior receiver Drew Smith (Richmond, VA/Mills Godwin) set a school record with 15 receptions, while his 184 receiving yards was enough to make him the school's all-time leader in career receiving yards.

The Tiger defense was led by linebacker Kyle Booker with 11 tackles and one interception, while Sam Rosten (Fairhope, AL/Bayside) recorded eight stops. Boaz Young-el (Hopewell, VA/Prince George) and Andrew Sellers (Roanoke, VA/Cave Spring) also recorded interceptions. Bridgewater's Alex Wilkens led the Eagles with 13 tackles and two interceptions, while Damien Ward recorded 12 stops.

Hampden-Sydney returns to action next week as the Tigers will travel to Emory, VA to face Emory and Henry College on October 6 at 1:00 pm. Fans can catch all of the exciting action on 95.7 FM or http://hams-av.hsc.edu/football/.