BABSON PARK, Fla. (August 27, 2022) - In a game that ended at halftime due to rain and lightning, the Webber International University football team defeated the Oaklanders of Lincoln University (CA) 35-10 on Saturday afternoon. It was the first time since 2018 that the Warriors won their season-opener.

The Warriors (1-0 overall) ended the first half with more total yards of offense than Lincoln (0-1 overall), 263-211. The Webber-defense also forced its opposition into two turnovers.

The Oaklanders would receive the opening kickoff and start the game strong, scoring on their opening drive after a four-yard touchdown rush that rounded off an eight-play, 75-yard drive. Webber would respond quickly, scoring on its first offensive possession. Quarterback Cody Braden would find senior Jacob Moss for a 34-yard touchdown toss to level the game at 7-7 with 8:07 remaining in the first quarter of action.

After scoring on the opening drive, Lincoln would go three-and-out and be forced to punt the ball back to the Warriors. On its next offensive drive, Webber would use just four plays to find the end zone yet again. Three of which would be rushes by transfer-running back Terry Weems Jr., for a total of 44 yards, including a 33-yard touchdown rush. Following the ensuing kickoff, a pass from the Lincoln quarterback would be picked off by free safety Trent Peacock who would return it 20 yards to the opposing 25-yard line.

A 19-yard completion to tight end Tyler Romano would earn the Warriors a first-and-goal opportunity at the four yard line. A five-yard rush from Tremon Bright followed by a one-yard touchdown rush from Weems Jr. would see Webber score on its third-consecutive offensive drive, giving the Warriors a 21-7 lead with less than a minute and a half in the quarter.

The Oaklanders would drive down the field to the Webber 13-yard line before a sack from Cameron Stephens on third-and-eight would force a field goal attempt that would be successful from about 27 yards, cutting the lead to 21-10. The Warriors would score for a fourth consecutive time after a 12-play, 69-yard drive would be capped off by a completion over the middle to Julian Cervantes for a 28-yard touchdown.

With Lincoln's next possession, the Warriors would force another turnover as a pass would be intercepted by Jamon Jones at the Webber 49-yard line. However, for the first time all half, Webber would be forced to punt following a three-and-out. A sack by Ke'Youn Busby on third-and-fifteen would force the Oaklanders into another punt on the following possession. 

Webber would score once more with 16 seconds left in the half on a deep ball from Braden that would find Dashaun Young down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown, extending the Warriors lead to 35-10. The game would go into a lightning delay during the halftime break and eventually be called due to weather.

Braden led the Warriors offensively, completing 75 percent of his passes for a total of 160 yards and three touchdowns, all to different receivers. Weems Jr. proved to be a force in the ground game, rushing six times for 49 yards and two touchdowns. He was followed by Bright with a total of 33 yards rushing on nine carries. Cervantes led the team in receiving with three catches for 53 yards and a touchdown followed by Young with 45 yards and a touchdown and Moss with 34 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, Webber was led by Parker Snead with five total tackles. He was followed by Devonte Harris and Jalen Williams each with four. Peacock and Jones each had an interception while Stephens and Busby each had a sack to their credit.

Next week, the Warriors travel to Tennessee to battle the Cumberland University Phoenix on Saturday, September 3rd, at 1:30 p.m. on Nokes-Lasater Field. Both teams will be 1-0 after Cumberland defeated Point University in its first game of the season, 34-7.