Buena Vista, Va. — The Southern Virginia University football team continued its historic start to the 2025 season with a 35-22 victory over Greensboro College in its USA South Conference opener — marking the program's first-ever 4-0 start.
A dominant defensive effort featuring two interceptions, including a pick-six, paired with an explosive passing attack, fueled the Knights' win.
Greensboro threatened early, advancing to the four-yard line on its opening drive, but the Knight defense stood tall. Key tackles from Jemaar Robinson, Cade Hanson, Britton Tidwell, and Blake Beardall limited the Pride to a field goal for a 3-0 lead.
Southern Virginia responded with a balanced drive led by quarterback Devin Watson and running back Antione Mills. A 12-yard completion to Jalen Lackey kept the series alive before Mills punched in the first touchdown to give the Knights a 7-3 advantage.
Greensboro regained the lead late in the first half, capitalizing on a short field to go up 9-7 after Peyton Brown blocked the extra point. Despite some strong drives, the Knights were unable to convert further in the half and entered the locker room trailing by two.
The third quarter proved pivotal. After a defensive stand, Alex Passey intercepted a Greensboro pass to swing momentum back to Southern Virginia. While the Knights couldn't score immediately, they broke through soon after when Watson connected with Scott DuPaix for a 70-yard touchdown strike, igniting the offense.
Moments later, Tony Napper Jr. made a game-changing play with a 41-yard pick-six, extending the lead to 22-9 and energizing the home crowd.
The defense continued to set the tone with Blake Beardall halting another Greensboro drive on fourth down. The offense then marched 12 plays down the field, highlighted by a 34-yard completion to DuPaix, before Roger Adam powered in for the touchdown to make it 28-9.
Greensboro added two late touchdowns, but the Knights sealed the win when Watson connected with Jireek Washington on a tipped pass for a 47-yard score, capping off the 35-22 victory.
Watson led the offense with 291 passing yards and two touchdowns, while Mills added a rushing touchdown. DuPaix paced the receivers with 104 yards and one touchdown, followed by Washington with 85 yards on two catches.
Defensively, Hanson led the way with 14 tackles, followed by Spike Adams with 10. Napper Jr. and Passey each recorded an interception, and Tradyn Henderson added 1.5 sacks to round out a strong defensive showing.
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