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Bears travel to Davidson Saturday

By AARON BURNS

Record Sports Correspondent

Published: September 9, 2009

HICKORY - After a tough loss last week, Lenoir-Rhyne University head football coach Fred Goldsmith is ready to forget about it and move on.

"When it was all said and done, it was a great football contest and I wish we'd have won," Goldsmith said Tuesday of the Bears' 52-45 loss at Concord (W. Va.) last Saturday.

On Saturday, L-R (1-1) hopes its fortunes improve when it faces Davidson at 1 p.m. on homecoming day at Davidson.

Davidson (0-1) is a non-scholarship Football Championship Subdivision team in the Pioneer League, and the only FCS team the Bears play in 2009.

The Wildcats lost their season opener to 11th-ranked Elon 56-0, but Goldsmith believes Davidson is better than its first effort might show.

"Their performance against Elon is irrelevant to us," Goldsmith said, "They have a similar offense as Concord, so we know some of what they can do. I look for them to be effective."

In order for L-R to be effective, senior quarterback Justin Sanders must continue the rhythm he has established in the first two games. He leads the Bears in passing yards (171) and rushing yards (197).

But the Bears' offense and special teams have been hit by injuries. Backup quarterback Major Herron suffered a concussion against Concord, and all-conference long snapper Jordon Simmons injured a hamstring.

Running backs Andrew Courman (hamstring) and James Pone (nagging injuries) have also missed time, but Goldsmith believes the Bears can win despite the injuries.

"I'm crossing my fingers about Major and it's too early to tell about Courman, but I expect Pone to be full go for us and since he's been out Jasper Thomas (102 yards, two touchdowns) has done well," Goldsmith said. "(VMI transfer) Bobby Epps will be our long snapper while Jordon is out."

Ailments and heartbreak aside, Goldsmith praised the Bears' special teams unit and defense.

"We won the kicking game, we nearly blocked two kicks, and our defense played really tough after not getting much rest," he said.

Jamont Jones' 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, L-R's first since Chris Winford in 2003, earned him South Atlantic Conference Special Teams Player of the Week honors.

Jones and Cam Thompkins have enabled the Bears to sweep the league's special teams honors for the first two weeks.

Asked what will be his biggest challenge against Davidson, Goldsmith said it will be to keep his players motivated after a heartbreaking setback.

"Davidson's stuck in my craw because they beat us on basically the last play last year (a 20-16 Wildcats win on Sept. 13, 2008).

"We've been to war.

"Now it's time for us to win."