Bears take down Wolves 21-14 in defensive slugfest

Game Recap: Football | 9/13/2026 12:04:00 AM | Joel Krenz, Assistant AD for Media and Communications

Bears take down Wolves 21-14 in defensive slugfest

NEWBERRY, S.C. – The Bears confirmed they’ll deal with adversity on Saturday, rebounding from final week’s loss to take down No. 11 Newberry 21-14 within the pouring rain. 

Locked in a scoreless battle on the half, Newberry scored early within the third earlier than the Bears answered with 21 consecutive factors. This is the second highest ranked win in Lenoir-Rhyne’s NCAA historical past, as they defeated No. 4 Benedict within the NCAA playoffs in 2023.

“I thought our guys played very gritty and found a way to win,” mentioned head coach Doug Socha. “Some areas were definitely better than others and still a lot to clean up before next week.”

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:

Final: (RV) Lenoir-Rhyne 21, #11 Newberry 14

Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (2-1, 1-0 SAC), Newberry (1-1, 0-1 SAC)

Location: Newberry, S.C. | Setzler Field

STORY OF THE GAME:

• This sport noticed the primary 9 possessions of the sport finish in punts, together with punts of 69 and 58 yards from Daniel Deneen Jr.
• Newberry appeared to go forward on a discipline objective late within the half, however Jerome Triplin III blocked the kick and Latavius Moore recovered it to maintain the sport scoreless on the break.
• The Wolves opened the second half with a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to go up 7-0.
• Following an LR punt, KJ Whitehead gave the Bears possession by each forcing and recovering a fumble.
• Wells Bettenhausen took benefit, hitting tight finish Carson Spoonts for a 51-yard landing reception, tying the sport.
• The groups went into the ultimate quarter locked in a 7-7 battle.
• Lenoir-Rhyne’s first drive of the fourth ended on an LJ Turner 1-yard dashing landing.
• Latavius Moore intercepted Coleman Gray’s cross two performs later and returned it 20 yards to set the Bears up within the pink zone.
• This time it was Eddie Clark doing the scoring, punching it in from 4 yards out to double the Bear’s lead.
• Newberry scored as soon as extra and had the ball late, however an enormous cross breakup from KJ Makins stored the Wolves at bay.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Quarterback Wells Bettenhausen was 10-for-17 for 131 yards and a landing.
• LJ Turner led the Bears with 45 yards and rating, adopted by Eddie Clark’s 39 yards and a rating.
• Jaidin Haynes was tops with three receptions, whereas Carson Spoonts’ 51-yard landing was adequate for probably the most yards on the group.
• Brodie Bradburn led the Bears with 9 tackles and two tackles for loss.
• Latavius Moore had 5 tackles, an 20-yard interception return, a cross breakup, and a restoration of a blocked discipline objective.
• Daniel Deneen Jr. had eight punts for a mean of 44.9 yards.
• Newberry outgained Lenoir-Rhyne 415-225 on offense and doubled the Bears up with a 22-11 benefit in first downs.
• Newberry fumbled the ball six instances, shedding only one.

BEYOND THE STATS:

• The Bears lead the all-time sequence 50-36-7 and have gained three of the final 4 conferences.
• Newberry gained the SAC final season and superior to the nationwide semi-finals.
• Daniel Deneen Jr. is now the one kicker in DII with a number of punts over 69+ yards.
• Eddie Clark and LJ Turner have accounted for eight of Lenoir-Rhyne’s 12 touchdowns on the yr.
• This was Newberry’s first loss in a one rating sport since falling 21-14 to Mars Hill within the closing sport of 2023.

Up Next: Lenoir-Rhyne will play host to Mars Hill subsequent week. The Lions are 2-0 after defeating Catawba 22-16 in extra time earlier in the present day. This sport doubles because the Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics Hall of Fame sport. The ceremony will happen at 1:30 in P.E. Monroe Auditorium and is open to everybody. This yr’s induction class can be honored at halftime of the sport. Kickoff for Saturday’s contest is scheduled for six:00 p.m.