MEC football: WVSU falls to Carson-Newman days after teammate's death

Harrington was a member of the West Virginia State University football program after transferring from Carson-Newman University.

The Yellow Jackets and Eagles met at Lakin-Ray Field at Dickerson Stadium Friday afternoon in WVSU’s home opener.

There was a moment of silence before the game, a Carson-Newman delay of game on its opening drive and a 10-player “missing man� contingent on the field for WVSU.

After the tributes, the Eagles upended the Yellow Jackets 56-25, WVSU’s first loss of the season.

The game ended with a 31-point victory by the Eagles (Harrington’s number at Carson-Newman). The final play of the game was run from the Carson-Newman 22-yard line (Harrington’s number at WVSU).

“I’m proud of our team, coaching staff and school for the support that we’ve got,� WVSU coach John Pennington said. “We knew today was an uphill battle with the adversity we faced and what we had to go through. We came out here and gave it our all for four quarters. I told the team before the game [that] the score is irrelevant.�

Harrington’s death sent shock waves through Institute, postponing the game a day.

“Yesterday, it was impossible,� Pennington said. “We knew we wanted to play, but the emotions were too raw. When we met yesterday morning with our pastor, we were a wreck. I was a wreck. No one could conjure up the energy to play a football game. We gave it some time to mourn and grieve. When we woke up this morning, personally, I was ready to go.

“I was ready to give it everything we had for him. There were messages coming across our group message filled with Bible verses. They were ready when I got over here. They were ready to give it their all.�

Instead of playing Thursday evening, the Eagles and Yellow Jackets shared a private moment at Dickerson Stadium.

First-year Eagles coach Ashley Ingram didn’t know Harrington, who had transferred to WVSU by the time he took over.

The rookie coach got to learn more about the former Carson-Newman product through current Eagle players.

“I didn’t know a lot about Jyilek until getting prepared to play this week,� Ingram said. “[We] watched him play in the game against Barton. [He was a] very talented player. I knew we were playing against a former teammate and some of the guys were talking about it leading up to the game.�

Ingram knew how important Friday’s contest was to the Eagles players because Harrington was reconnecting with his former teammates.

“Jyilek was even going to come over and visit with some of the guys at the hotel,� Ingram said. “What I realized quickly is that he meant a lot to the players on our football team. A lot of guys were very emotional.�

Carson-Newman quickly jumped out to a 21-0 lead on West Virginia State after the first quarter, scoring on its first three drives.

The Eagles got things rolling with a 59-yard run by Don Bradley, capping off a five-play, 95-yard drive.

The next two touchdowns came off runs inside the red zone, with Cam Ferguson and Tre Luttrell each finding the end zone.

Ferguson tallied 88 yards on the ground on 12 carries.

Luttrell finished with 122 yards of total offense, finishing with 80 passing and 42 rushing yards.

West Virginia State posted minus-4 yards of total offense in the opening quarter on nine plays.

“There was a lot of rust,� Pennington said. “[Carson-Newman has] a great defense. We lined up in some wrong formations. There was just some little details that we kind of lost out on with missing a full day. I didn’t look at one snap or play. I don’t think anybody could yesterday. It took us a while to shake the rust off and remember what the game plan was.�

The Yellow Jackets got on the scoreboard with 12:07 left in the second quarter after a 4-yard run by Amare Ary.

Ferguson scored his second touchdown on the ensuing kickoff with a 92-yard return for a touchdown.

WVSU responded with a 65-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Isaiah Bess to Joel Felder.

Bess finished the game going 14 of 34 for 221 yards while throwing one touchdown and an interception.

The Eagles tallied again on a 69-yard pass from Luttrell to Jerron Newson.

The Yellow Jackets scored the final points of the half on a 32-yard field goal by Brennen Schmitt, and WVSU trailed 36-17 at the break.

Carson-Newman scored twice in the third quarter, with each coming on the ground.

The first came thanks to Tyler Curtis, while Luttrell scored his second rushing touchdown.

“I was pleased with the way [we played],� Ingram said. “We came on the road and had some real-deal adversity hit us. We were able to capitalize and scored 56 points, and we won the football game. We can play much better.

“Carson-Newman’s won five national championships. Our goal is to get it back to a championship level. We’re going to have to clean up some things moving forward to be able to do that.�

WVSU got two points during that timeframe following a blocked PAT that was returned by Quentin Williams.

The Yellow Jackets’ only touchdown of the second half came with 10:28 remaining after a 12-play, 78-yard drive capped by a 3-yard Bess run.

Jayden Sullins scored from 1 yard out for the Eagles to set the final score.

Carson-Newman posted 341 rushing yards, with Bradley leading all rushers with 108 yards on five carries.

The Eagles finished with 457 yards of total offense, while West Virginia State had 344.