Football is officially back at Roanoke College. The Maroons returned to the gridiron for the first time since 1942 last Saturday and marked the occasion with a 23-7 win over Virginia University of Lynchburg.
A crowd announced at over 5,600 attended the historic game, and they weren’t disappointed. The Maroon defense dominated the game, holding VUL to minus 21 yards rushing and allowing just one touchdown on a tipped pass. Roanoke outgained the Dragons 367 to 165 for the game.
The Maroons jumped on top early. Roanoke stopped Virginia U. on three plays on their first possession and forced a punt. Tandom Smith then blocked the punt and Brayden Andrews caught it in the air in the end zone for a touchdown.
The Dragons answered on a long pass that was deflected into the arms of a VUL player, but Roanoke regained the lead when Polo Hill ran 16 yards for a score and the Maroons led 14-7 after one quarter.
Roanoke went up 21-7 at the half when quarterback Kam Hill found Grey Deal for a 30 yard touchdown strike. The second half was scoreless except for a third quarter safety when a Dragon runner was tackled in the end zone.
Statistically, Tyson Miller gained over 100 yards overall, 85 on the ground on 18 carries and 49 receiving yards on three catches. Polo Hill rushed seven times for 69 yards and one touchdown and also had three catches for 22 yards. Kam Hill threw for one score and completed 13 passes while picking up 22 yards rushing. Freshman Eli Taylor, a Salem High grad, finished the game at quarterback.
On defense, Smith led the team with nine tackles in addition to his blocked punt. Andrews and Parker Hardy had four tackles each.
The Maroons will hit the road for the first time this Saturday with a game at Greensboro College. It’s scheduled for a noon kickoff.
Roanoke’s next home game is September 27 when the Maroons host Gallaudet University for their Old Dominion Athletic Conference opener at Salem Stadium.
