Rucker scores twice in road game versus UNC Pembroke
The Mars Hill football team (3-3) fell on the road to UNC Pembroke (3-3) by a score of 36-29 Saturday afternoon in non-conference play.
PEMBROKE, N.C. - The Mars Hill football team (3-3) fell on the road to UNC Pembroke (3-3) by a score of 36-29 Saturday afternoon in non-conference play.
Collin Sneed threw for 365 yards and three touchdowns. He added 23 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown. Craig Rucker caught a game-high eight passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns. Gilbert Johnson's lone reception was a 51-yard score. Elijah Jett led the Lions rushing game with 76 yards on the ground on 18 carries. Dexter Fitzpatrick collected a game-high 10 tackles.
The teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 29 until the Braves, with just under three minutes remaining, Josh Sheridan punched the ball in from two yards out to take the lead and secure the win.
The Braves struck fast in the first quarter as Josh Jones connected with Marcus McDonald on a 64-yard touchdown pass less than a minute into the game. The Lions tied the game less than two minutes later off of Johnson's touchdown reception.
Sheridan scored his first of the game on a 14-yard run with 4:34 left in the opening frame to regain the lead. With less than 30 seconds left in the frame, Sneed scored from one yard out, however, a blocked PAT kept the Lions behind, 14-13 as they entered the second quarter.
Mars Hill took their first lead of the contest with 7:39 left in the half as Rucker caught his first touchdown pass of the day. The back-and-forth affair continued as the Braves took a 22-19 lead with nine seconds left in the half. Steven Sanchez's 33-yard field goal at the end of the half sent the teams into their respective locker rooms tied at 22.
Trey Dixon's 11-yard touchdown reception gave UNC Pembroke their fourth lead of the day with 5:03 left in the third quarter. Just over a minute later, Rucker caught his second touchdown pass of the game to knot the game at 29 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lions return to action on Saturday, October 19 when they host Limestone on Homecoming. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
