Joseph Marvin: Assistant Sports Information Director
BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College Tornados football team (0-1) will take the field for the first time since September 1st as they square off against the Virginia University of Lynchburg Dragons (0-2). The matchup is slated for 2:00 pm on Saturday, September 22nd at Central Field in Lynchburg, Va. This matchup marks the second straight season that the Tornados and Dragons have faced off, as Brevard prevailed by a 21-14 margin last year at Brevard Memorial Stadium.
The Tornados have been off for two weeks after a cancellation this past weekend. Due to the threat of inclement weather from Hurricane Florence, the Brevard College vs. Allen University football game originally scheduled for Saturday, September 15th was canceled. The decision was made as a result of Allen University, located in Columbia, S.C., closing its operations in anticipation of the storm. This cancellation followed Brevard's scheduled bye the week of September 8th.
Brevard was last in action when they faced off with Division 1-FCS opponent Davidson to open the season for the second straight year. The Wildcats prevailed in the matchup by a score of 34-13.
Brevard was highlighted by a trio of freshman in the second half of the opening contest. Quarterback Dalton Cole came into the game on the first drive of the second half and on just his second career collegiate completion connected with Tight End Blake Taylor for a 43-yard strike to get the Tornados on the board. Two drives later, Running Back Jayveon Love fooled the entire Davidson defense, flipping the run to the right side and finding the end zone on a 56-yard rush, earning him USA South Play of the Week honors for the opening week of the season. This rush put Love on top of the rushing totals for Brevard, as he finished with 62 yards on 3 carries and a touchdown.
The defense will be a key factor in Saturday's matchup. Brevard will look to come out of the gate hot on the defensive side of the ball after being idle for the past two weeks of action.
In the season opener at Davidson, the Tornados were led up front by Brandon Crawford, who totaled a team high 9 tackles on the night. Tanner Pettit and Kyle Fennell each recovered a fumble on the night, and Axel Easter forced an early 1st quarter fumble.
The offense will look to be steadied by Seniors Tyler Gregory and Bubba Craven. Against the Wildcats, Gregory headed a steady first-half rushing attack, as the versatile offensive workhorse tallied 56 yards on 12 carries, with his longest being 11 yards. After coming off of a season of historical proportions for the program, Bubba Craven enjoyed a solid start to 2018, as he racked up 57 yards on 6 receptions, all coming in the first half.
The Opposition: Virginia University of Lynchburg will face the Tornados for the second straight season. The Dragons dropped a heartbreaker to Brevard last season by a score of 27-24. Lynchburg has played two games on the 2018 campaign, dropping their opener to Division 1-FCS Bethune-Cookman by a score of 79-16, before falling to Division II Newberry last Thursday by a final of 27-14.
October 7th, 2017: It took a 14-point 4th quarter a season ago for the Tornados to down the Dragons in an early October Homecoming tilt. Brevard was led by an outstanding offensive showcase by Bubba Craven, one of his many in the 2017 campaign. Craven hauled in 8 catches for 112 yards, finding the end zone twice in the game. This victory kicked off a successful October for Brevard, as the Tornados won three out of four games in the month.
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