Brevard College

BUENA VISTA, Va. - The Brevard College football team (5-0, 2-0 USA South) used its stellar rushing attack and timely defensive stops to hold off Southern Virginia (1-4, 0-2 USAS), 27-26 on Saturday at Knight Stadium.
 
Freshman running back and reigning USA South Offensive Rookie of the Week Marvin Reed Jr. set a new single-game DIII-era record with four rushing touchdowns, the most for any Tornado in a single contest since 2013 (Jordan Ollis). Reed Jr. toted the rock 22 times for a career-best 184 yards, and scored three of his four touchdowns in the second quarter as Brevard outscored SVU 21-0. Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel added 94 yards on 21 carries.
 
Brevard, who came into the contest with a top-10 rushing attack in all of Division III, notched its fifth game with over 200 rushing yards, while securing its fourth four-plus rushing touchdown performance as a team.
 
The win gives the Tornados a 5-0 start for the first time since 2009. Brevard's 2-0 start to USA South Conference play marks the fourth time the Tornados have won their first two league games.
 
The Tornados pulled out the victory despite being outgained 465-341 in total offense. SVU started fast and held the Tornados to 2-of-9 on third downs, but Brevard utilized its 36:26 of possession time to battle back and pull out the victory.
 
BC's defense was led by Will Hadden III, who totaled 11 tackles and a 1.5 TFL. Deshon Hadden added seven tackles, two TFL, 1.5 sacks, and a blocked extra point. Abdulmalik Sholanke also contributed heavily with five tackles, two TFL, and a sack, as BC's defense as a whole totaled nine tackles for loss and four sacks.
 
With the Knights gaining possession first, both sides traded three-and-outs to start the contest. SVU used a 37-yard completion to get into Tornado territory, and a 42-yard touchdown pass put the Knights ahead, 6-0.
 
SVU's defense forced a sack-fumble on the ensuing Tornado possession, giving the Knights the ball at the Brevard 35-yard line. A 32-yard pitch-and-catch from Marcus Price to Spike Adams marked the second SVU touchdown of the first quarter, and a two-point conversion put the hosts on top, 14-0.
 
The Knights tried to catch the Tornados off guard with a surprise onside kick, but an illegal touching penalty set BC up with prime real estate. SVU forced another three-and-out, however, and BC's field goal attempt was off the mark.
 
BC's defense stood tall, stopping SVU in its tracks to gain possession back. Brevard was able to cap off a nine-play, 70-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown scamper by Reed Jr., putting the Tornados on the board, 14-7.
 
Brevard's defense forced another punt on the next Knight possession, and the Tornado offense once again capitalized, stringing together an 11-play, 80-yard drive that was finalized by Reed Jr.'s second nine-yard touchdown of the contest, tying the game up.
 
SVU once again went aggressive, faking a punt on fourth down on its own 37-yard line, but the Tornados held serve, regaining possession with great field position. BC wasted no time, needing just four plays to go on top, 21-14, as Reed Jr. completed his second-straight first-half hat-trick with his third touchdown run of the contest.
 
BC would take the seven-point lead into the halftime intermission after a late SVU drive stalled out.
 
An interception on Brevard's first drive of the second half proved costly, as SVU punched back with a 92-yard drive to pull to within a point, 21-20.
 
SVU's defense then forced three consecutive punts, and hit a home run with 12:59 left in the fourth quarter as Rylen Balser connected with Jalen Lackey for a 53-yard touchdown to retake the lead, 26-21.
 
With its backs against the wall, the Brevard offense found its answer, as Christian Conley connected with Emarea Fowler for a critical third-down conversion, and a Reed Jr. 36-yard burst set up his fourth touchdown of the game, putting the Tornados up one, 27-26.
 
Kendrick Worthington gashed the Tornado defense with a 38-yard rush that set the Knights up in BC territory. Brevard made its stand, however, forcing a turnover on downs to regain possession with 4:31 left to play.
 
A dropped pass doomed BC on the ensuing possession, forcing the Tornados to punt the ball away with 3:02 left to go. BC's defense stood tall once again, forcing another three-and-out.
 
The Tornados were able to lean on their run game to seal the contest, pounding the ball all the way inside the SVU five-yard line before kneeling the clock to zero.
 
Homecoming 2026 is next on the calendar for the Tornados, as Brevard welcomes defending USA South Conference champion LaGrange next Saturday, Oct. 17 at 2 p.m. BC will aim to improve to 6-0 for the first time in program history.
 
To follow the latest news and updates surrounding Brevard College Athletics, follow the Tornados on Twitter and Instagram @bctornados, subscribe to 'Brevard College Tornados' on YouTube, and follow 'Brevard College Athletics' on Facebook. In addition, follow 'brevardcollege' on Flickr for photos from Brevard College events. For all live streams of Brevard College Athletics contests, visit FloCollege.com.