Talking about starting off with a bang.
The University of West Florida football team took care of business to open the 2024 season with a 38-6 win over McKendree University on Thursday at Pen Air Field.
Coming out strong with a three-touchdown first half, UWF allowed just three first downs from the Bearcats. The Argos kept their foot on the gas pedal with a strong red zone offense thanks to a couple big punt returns from Virgil Lemons III.
All three of the touchdowns in the first half were from within five yards. Jamontez Woods ran the first touchdown in from 4 yards out and the second touchdown from 1 yard out. Jay Sharp converted a 1-yard run later in the second quarter – but that game after a 90-yard, seven-minute drive.
“I told Virgil, ‘If you can give me every offensive possession starting inside the (5-yard line), I’m the best play-caller in the world. It’ll be pretty easy for us to score,” UWF head coach Kaleb Nobles said after the game. “I’m excited how special teams performed tonight.”
Lemon’s punt returns were for 86 yards and 61 yards. The latter resulted in a fumble that went forward, and sophomore Kamrin Canterbury chased after the ball to gain a few more crucial yards. It was almost like the Argos drew it up.
“We work on that every Wednesday. Fumble forward, pick it up and run another 20 yards. That’s exactly how we practice it,” Nobles said with a laugh. “I’m thankful our guy chased the ball and made a big play.”
“Exactly how we drew it up,” Lemons said with a smile.
Following a defensive third quarter that featured just a 24-yard field goal from Cade Lombardo, the Argos tacked on a pair of touchdowns – a 4-yard run from quarterback Michael Rich Jr. and then a 27-yard pick-6 from Ralph Ortiz – to close out the game.
UWF did allow a 3-yard run early in the fourth quarter for a touchdown after the Bearcats drove the field 74 yards on 14 plays. But, the Argo defense did stop a final drive as the clock expired, with McKendree working its way inside the 10-yard line.
“I’m very excited about the team and what we did tonight. There was some really good stuff in all three facets of the game. … But there’s so many things to clean up. As a head coach, you’re looking at things. I wrote a whole list of things during the fourth quarter as the defense was getting drove on. Just things we’ve got to clean up,” Nobles said. “It’s hard to win games, and we’re thankful for a good win.”
UWF (1-0) will now take an extended break early in the season, something unique for the Argos’ program, Nobles noted. The Argos have 16 days between Thursday’s game and its next opponent, West Alabama, in Week 3 of the season.
Nobles said the bye week early in the year allows UWF to prep for a couple tough upcoming games including West Alabama and then national-powerhouse Grand Valley State in Week 4.
“We’ve got 16 days to clean that stuff up and get ready for conference play,” Nobles said. “That way we can focus on West Alabama and nothing past that, and then take care of business when we have to down the line.”
Ben Grieco is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached on X (@BenGriecoSports) and via email at BGrieco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: UWF football beats McKendree University in Week 1 of 2024 season
