November 3, 2007
Methodist Wins 13-7 Over Greensboro
Sophomore Brian Leary's fumble recovery leads to Methodist touchdown

GREENSBORO, NC -  Methodist scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and held on for a 13-7 win for their second straight win and third overall this season. Methodist improves to 3-6 overall and 3-3 in the USA South this season while Greensboro drops to 2-7 overall and 1-5 in the conference.

Just a few weeks ago, Methodist sophomore Brian Leary underwent knee surgery with most counting him out for the remainder of the season. Leary returned to the field last week and on Greensboro's first possession of the game Saturday night, Leary picked up a Pride fumble at their own 18-yard line. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Parks completed a pass to senior Jonathan Mularski for three yards before running for nine of his own to the Greensboro 6-yard line. Senior Mike Hill scored the touchdown with the final six yards to the endzone. Freshman Mario Miralles' kick was good for the 7-0 lead.

Methodist took over on their next possession at their own 27-yard line. Mularski ran for 23 yards to reach the 50-yard line and the first down. Hill picked up another first down on three carries before freshman Corey McGuire completed the drive with the final 40 yards on four carries including a nine yard touchdown. After a false start and a missed point after attempt, Methodist took a 13-0 lead.

The remainder of the first quarter and the majority of the second quarter passed with neither team able to mount much of an offense. It wasn't until Methodist's final possession of the half that either team advanced into their opponent's half of the field. With 2:49 to go, Methodist took over on their own 40-yard line. The Monarchs nearly alternated between the pass and the run taking a timeout with 31 seconds to go on second down and five yards. Parks found Mularski for two yards to reach the 30, but his next pass went incomplete. Miralles attempted a 46-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked with two seconds remaining. Methodist took the 13-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

On Greensboro's second possession of the third quarter, the Pride moved the ball 80-yards and scored on a one-yard touchdown run by Torrey Lowe. Chris Palme's kick closed the Methodist lead to 13-7. Miralles attempted another field goal late in the third quarter, but the kick was blocked ending the quarter at 13-7.

Greensboro made a last ditch effort in the fourth quarter reaching the Methodist 32-yard line, with 8:07 to go in the game, but the Greensboro quarterback Josh Gilbert threw three incompletions to turn the ball over on downs. In the final Greensboro possession, the Methodist defense did not allow the first down giving Methodist the ball with 2:49 remaining. The Monarchs ran the clock out to preserve the 13-7 win.

The Monarchs will host Shenandoah on Saturday at 1 pm in their final game of the season.

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