Brevard, N.C. – The Brevard College football team is not ready to throw in the towel on their season just yet, as the Tornados are set to travel to Newberry, S.C. on Saturday to take on the No. 19 nationally ranked Newberry Indians in their final game of 2007.

 

The Tornados (2-8) are coming off their second straight loss to a nationally ranked South Atlantic Conference opponent last Saturday afternoon, when they fell at home to the No. 13 ranked Catawba Indians, 56-21. This week will mark the third straight week in which the Tornados will have faced a nationally ranked opponent, and the fourth-ranked opponent overall on the season.

 

In last week’s loss, the Tornados gained 355-total offensive yards for the game, collecting 25 first downs and ran a total of 77 plays, despite turning the ball over six times. The BC offensive attack was led by the running game which picked up 285-yards on the ground behind a young offensive line that controlled the line of scrimmage for most of the game. 

 

Freshman quarterback Trey Wilborn had perhaps his best game of the season, rushing 19 times for 112-yards, but more importantly connecting on 6 of his 8 pass attempts for 70-yards and two touchdowns. Junior running back John Taylor carried the ball 16 times for 73-yards and a score, while redshirt-freshman fullback Derek Church had a career day of 17 carries for 53-yards and caught a touchdown pass from Wilborn.

 

The BC defense forced three turnovers last week versus the Indians, forcing the No. 2 offense in the South Atlantic Conference into throwing three interceptions. The Tornado defense will again look to force some turnovers this Saturday, as they are again faced with a tough task in stopping a Newberry Indians’ offense that is second in the SAC in rushing and third overall in total offense.

 

The Indians (8-2) are led by senior running back Alex Haynes who has rushed for 821-yards and nine touchdowns on 122 rushing attempts for the season. Fullback Tharry Salley has carried the ball 101 times for 586-yards and 10 touchdowns.

 

The Tornados will have to keep a close eye on Newberry’s quarterback Brandon Gantt who is a dual threat for the Indians’ offense, as he has passed for 846-yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing 57 times for 373-yards and two touchdowns.

 

Defensively the Indians will be the toughest test to date for the Tornados, as Newberry is the number one in total defense and in scoring defense in the SAC and is also first in the conference in turnover-margin, having forced 25 turnovers in their first 10 games.

 

The kickoff time is slated for 7 p.m. at Setzler Field in Newberry, S.C.  This is the second match up between the Tornados and the Newberry Indians, as Newberry defeated Brevard College 45-0 last season. BC is still looking for its first win over a South Atlantic Conference opponent.