Morgan Runs Cavs Past Tornados in Opener

August 25, 2007
Game Stats

Wise, Va. – All-American University of Virginia’s College at Wise running back Ra’Shad Morgan picked up where he left off a year ago by plowing through the Brevard College defense for 243 yards and four touchdowns in a season opening 41-23 victory.

Leading 34-23, Morgan sealed the win by breaking three Tornados’ tacklers on his way to a 50-yard touchdown with 3:16 to cap his outstanding evening.

Morgan (Chesterfield, VA/Meadowbrook) ran for his 243 yards, the second most in Cavs’ history, on 29 carries for an 8.4-yard average with four scores. The senior running back set the school mark with 289 yards I a year ago against Cumberland University. Quarterback Randy Hippeard (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) hit 16 of 24 attempts for 218 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore Matt Barbour (Brookneal, Va./Wm. Campbell) had his best day of his career with six catches for 110 yards and a 44-yard score. Jason Lovett (Fredericksburg, Va/Massaponax) had a solid day with five receptions for 72 yards and a 30-yard touchdown in his first game at wideout.

Linebacker Ben Robertson (Morehead City, NC) produced 15 tackles and a tackle for loss. Chas Johnson (Newport News, Va./ Warwick) added 11 stops while Keith McBride (Hampton, Va./Kecoughtan) and Jahmal Potter (Va. Beach, Va./ Salem) snatched interceptions for the UVa-Wise (1-0) defense.

Brevard (0-1) saw John Taylor rush for 76 yards on 24 carries and two scores. Colby McCoy passed for 218 yards on 15 of 32 attempts. Stanley Jones led the defense with 12 tackles and a tackle for loss.

The Tornados took its opening possession 51 yards on 14 plays before McCoy plunged in from one-yard out. Morgan went to work shortly afterwards by scoring three times over the final 15:40 of the first half from 16, four and one yard for a 21-14 halftime tally.

Hippeard hit Lovett on the first possession of the second half from 30 yards and early in the fourth connected from 44 yards with Barbour for a 34-23 score after Brevard returned the extra point for two points. The score remained 34-23 until Morgan’s tough 50-yard burst through Brevard defenders for the 41-23 final.

The Cavs will return to action next Saturday night at NCAA Division II foe North Greenville for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.