LITTLE ROCK — Texas Wesleyan University (3-2, 3-0 SAC) remained unbeaten in Sooner Athletic Conference play Saturday, holding off Arkansas Baptist College (2-3, 2-1SAC) at Quigley-Cox Stadium 34-27.
Texas Wesleyan built a 20-13 halftime lead and extended its advantage to 31-13 in the third quarter before Arkansas Baptist mounted a late comeback attempt.
Ian Jernagin powered the Rams' offense with 131 rushing yards and a touchdown on 25 carries. He also caught two passes for 11 yards and scored twice overall. Jernagin provided Texas Wesleyan with an early spark, breaking loose for runs of 18 and 12 yards on the Rams' opening scoring drive before
Charlie Adamoli connected with
Darren White on a 22-yard touchdown pass.
Jernagin later capped an 82-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to give Texas Wesleyan a 13-7 lead in the first quarter. With 13 seconds remaining before halftime, Adamoli found Jernagin for a 10-yard touchdown, pushing the Rams' lead to seven points at the break.
Adamoli completed 16 of 22 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns. Makhi Whitney led the Rams with 103 receiving yards and a touchdown on four receptions, while White added 57 yards and a touchdown on three catches.
Texas Wesleyan finished with 442 yards of total offense, including 181 rushing yards and 261 passing yards. The Rams converted six of 14 third-down attempts and held the ball for 32:19.
The Texas Wesleyan defense also came up with several key plays.
Jaden Fisher recorded an interception, forced a fumble and finished with nine tackles, while Jemari Seals added an interception, a sack and seven tackles. The Rams finished with two interceptions, three fumble recoveries and a sack.
Christian Munguia provided all of Texas Wesleyan's kicking points, converting two field goals and all four extra-point attempts. His field goals came from 19 and 20 yards.
Arkansas Baptist scored twice in the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to seven, but Texas Wesleyan's defense intercepted Jayden Young with 2:52 remaining to help preserve the victory.
Texas Wesleyan will remain on the road next Saturday, Oct. 10, when the Rams travel to Pineville, Louisiana, to face Louisiana Christian University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Wildcat Field.
