Wofford Terriers Secure Frist Win with Dominating Performance Over Norfolk State
Table of Contents
The Wofford College football team achieved its first victory of the season on Saturday, defeating Norfolk State 31-14 in a decisive game at Gibbs Stadium, fueled by a balanced offensive attack and a stifling defensive performance. The Terriers, now 1-5 on the season, showcased a season-high 435 total yards and held the Spartans to just 14 points after a strong defensive stand in the second half.
Offensive Balance Leads to Victory
Wofford’s offense proved too much for the Spartans, racking up a season-high 435 total yards, including 248 passing yards. Leading the charge was Ihson Jackson-Anderson, who rushed for 113 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries – the first 100-yard rushing performance for the Terriers as November 16, 2024, against The Citadel. Quarterback J.T. Fayard efficiently managed the passing game, completing 23 of 34 passes for two touchdowns. Gerald Modest Jr. contributed with 18 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own.
“It’s a gratifying win,” said coach Shawn Watson. “We had opportunities to really play the kind of football that we envision ourselves playing, on both sides of the ball. It was a pretty complete game.”
Defensive Standout Shuts Down Spartans
The turning point of the game came in the third quarter, with the score tied at 14. Wofford’s defense stepped up, preventing the Spartans from gaining a single first down on their final four drives.This defensive stand allowed the Terriers’ offense to capitalize, scoring 17 unanswered points to seal the win.Darius Malcom, Jr. led the defensive effort with eight tackles, continuing his strong performance for the second consecutive game, while Wyatt Ward added seven tackles and Marion Smokes Jr. recorded the team’s only sack.
Game Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
Norfolk State started strong, taking a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter with a 14-yard touchdown pass. However, Wofford quickly responded with a 44-yard run by Jackson-Anderson followed by a 22-yard touchdown pass from fayard to Isaiah Scott, tying the game at 7-7. A key moment in the first half saw Caleb Oliver record his first career interception.
Wofford took a 14-7 lead in the second quarter after Jackson-Anderson powered into the end zone from three yards out. After a back-and-forth start to the second half,which saw the Spartans tie the game at 14-14,Wofford regained control. A 23-yard touchdown catch by C.J. Adams put the Terriers ahead, and a 41-yard field goal by Sam Spence extended the lead to 24-14. A late touchdown run by Modest Jr. cemented the victory, bringing the final score to 31-14.
Key stats and Game Notes
Wofford dominated in several statistical categories. The Terriers recorded 23 first downs compared to the Spartans’ 12 and were a season-best 10-of-17 on third down. Wofford also controlled the clock, holding possession for 36:51 compared to Norfolk State’s 23:09 – the largest time of possession advantage of the season.
Additional notes from the game include:
- This was the first-ever meeting between Wofford and Norfolk State.
- The game marked the 80th Homecoming game at Wofford, bringing the terriers’ all-time Homecoming record to 50-28-2.
- The 187 rushing yards were the most by Wofford in a single game this season.
- Attendance at Gibbs Stadium reached 4,844.
Looking Ahead
Wofford will continue its home stand next Saturday, October 18, hosting Furman at noon at Gibbs Stadium.The game will be broadcast on ESPN+/CW62 and the Wofford Digital Network.
