Lenoir-Rhyne University, which will observe its homecoming this weekend, had reason to celebrate last week.
The Bears, who host Wingate University at 2 p.m. Saturday, are coming off a 38-17 win at Tusculum – which Fred Goldsmith agreed was the biggest victory in his 2 1/2 seasons as L-R head coach.
"It doesn't always happen like you draw it up on the board and that was one game that it did happen," he said at a press luncheon Tuesday.
"Another factor was that it was coming off such a disappointing loss," Goldsmith said, referring to L-R's 14-9 defeat against Brevard on Sept. 26.
The Bears (4-2, 1-1 South Atlantic Conference) rushed for 299 yards last week.
"Offensively, it was probably as vintage a triple option attack as I've been in in awhile," Goldsmith said.
Substitute quarterback Major Herron led the offense by rushing for 91 yards and two short touchdowns and completing 4-of-5 passes for 35 yards and another score.
After the sophomore's performance, Goldsmith said he was not sure whether Herron or fourth-year starter Justin Sanders will open at quarterback Saturday.
"I'll say this about Justin Sanders," Goldsmith said. "When Major was having that success, the first one down there – with a big, ol' smile and hugging it up – was Justin Sanders."
Sanders and/or Herron will be facing a Wingate team that uses a 6-1 defensive alignment.
"It's designed to take your quarterback away," Goldsmith said. "They like to crowd the line of scrimmage, so, hopefully, we can get some passes in there."
Wingate (4-1) is tied with Carson-Newman for first place at 2-0 in the SAC. The Bulldogs have beaten Tusculum 42-31 and Brevard 28-12 and own a 33-14 win over North Greenville, which L-R defeated 32-16.
Wingate sophomore Vince Jordan has rushed for 104.8 yards per game and leads the conference in touchdowns with seven. With sophomore Cody Haffly starting at quarterback, the Bulldogs have averaged 200 yards per game passing and 169.4 rushing.
L-R leads NCAA Division II in rushing with 310.5 yards per game, but the Bears have passed for an average of only 73.7 yards.
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