Wingate Beats Catawba 34-24

0 for 11 on third down conversions. A 27.9 yard average on seven punts. A turnover on a kickoff return that was picked up and ran in for a score.

It does not take long to figure out how Catawba lost on Saturday to a Wingate team that is now 8-1 overall. The Bulldogs will be in the playoffs if they can win one of their last two, at Carson-Newman and at home to Mars Hill.

The offense could never recover after dominating the line of scrimmage on the first two scoring drives. Jamelle Cuthbertson finished the game with 57 yards on 15 carries. The bulk of those yards came in the first quarter.

The passing game was not a factor for the Tribe. Patrick Dennis played through the third quarter 8-15 for 99 yards and an interception. Redshirt-freshman Daniel Griffith from North Rowan threw his first collegiate touchdown in a 31-yard pass to Brandon Bunn.

The Catawba defense did all that they could, but they were routinely put into bad spots. Perhaps the biggest turning point in the game was a penalty on Catawba's Aaron Cauble for roughing the punter. That swing of momentum virtually ended all hope of a comeback.

The Indians were led by freshman Lakeem Perry with 13 total tackles, Charles McAfee with 10 total tackles, and Brandon Sutton with four tackles for loss and two sacks.

Catawba will be hosting Brevard College (1-7, 0-5)this Saturday at 1:30 PM. The last game of the 2008 season will be on the road at Lenoir-Rhyne in Hickory, NC.