BABSON PARK, Fla. (October 29, 2022) - The Webber International University football team matched up against Virginia University of Lynchburg for its final non-conference game of the season on Saturday afternoon. The Warriors had five different running backs combine for over 250 yards on the ground in a 38-20 victory.

Webber (5-2 overall) ended the game with over 400 yards of total offense while defensively, forcing the Dragons (0-9) into four turnovers. The Warriors also earned their fifth win of the season, the most in one season since they won seven games in 2018.

After receiving the opening kickoff, the Warriors drove 61 yards in 12 plays before being faced with a fourth-and-nine on the Dragons' 16-yard line. Riley Robbins converted a 26 yard field goal, earning Webber an early 3-0 lead. It did not take long for VUL to get its first points as the Dragons scored on their first drive after a 38-yard touchdown pass. The Warriors were faced with a third-and-sixteen on their next drive but Cody Braden connected with Frederick Curry Jr. for a 32-yard gain into Dragons' territory. A 19-yard rush by Terry Weems Jr. took Webber down to the seven yard line before Braden tossed a precision pass to the front pylon to Jacob Moss to retake the lead, 10-7.

On their next drive, the Dragons' were faced with a third-and-one before scoring on a 66-yard touchdown run to gain a 14-10 lead. With roughly five minutes remaining in the half, senior Devonte Harris jumped a route on one of the Dragons' receivers to make an interception and return it 54 yards for a touchdown. It would be Harris' second interception of the year thus far. The pick-six earned the Warriors a three point lead at halftime.

After forcing VUL into a three-and-out on the first possession of the third quarter, Tremon Bright led the Warriors with 65 yards on three carries on their next drive down to the three-yard line. Weems Jr. scored the three-yard touchdown rush on the next play, extending Webber's lead to 10. With just over two minutes left in the quarter, the Dragons cut into the deficit after a 67-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing point-after-attempt was blocked, however, and it remained a two-possession game at 24-20.

The Warriors had possession to start the fourth quarter and faced with a fourth-and-four at the VUL 30-yard line, decided to go for it. Blake Birchler found tight end Tyler Romano wide open over the middle on a play-action pass for a 30-yard touchdown, making it 31-20. Webber extended its lead even further with less than five minutes late after Birchler threw a 28-yard touchdown to Dashaun Young. The score put the Warriors up by 18 and virtually sealed the victory.

Braden completed nine of his 14 attempted passes for 104 yards and a touchdown. He was replaced by Birchler just before halftime after an unfortunate injury. Birchler was 3-11 for 77 yards and two touchdowns. The Warriors main source of offense came through the ground game led by Bright with 100 yards followed by Weems Jr. who tallied 85 yards and a touchdown. D'Markus Mathis also recorded a season-high 60 yards on nine carries. Curry Jr. led all receivers with 56 yards and three receptions. Young, Romano, and Moss all had a receiving touchdown each.

Defensively, Jaren Muse had a standout game tallying a season-high eight tackles while adding a forced fumble and a pass breakup as well. Chase Watter and Rocky O'Rourke both finished with four total tackles and half a sack each. Harris recorded three tackles and a pass breakup to go with his 54-yard pick-six. Both Marquavion Jeter and Trent Peacock had interceptions as well.

The Warriors will now travel to Miami Gardens, Florida to take on the No. 22 nationally-ranked St. Thomas University Bobcats next Saturday, November 5th at 12 p.m.