by Ryan Bartels

CINCINNATI, Ohio - Faulkner (6-3) scored on eight of 12 possessions while holding Cincinnati Christian (0-10) to a lone third-quarter field goal to secure the lopsided 54-3 victory here at Willard Stargel Stadium in the final non-division Mid-South Conference outing of the season this afternoon.

The second-year Cincinnati-based Eagles struggled immensely on both sides of the ball, racking up just 57 yards in the air while mustering only 56 more on foot.

Faulkner, meanwhile, tallied 359 yards and 103 yards in the same categories, respectively, while scoring in a host of ways.

The visiting Eagles came away with points on six of eight first-half possessions and the first two touchdowns of the day arrived on passing exchanges between quarterback Clayton Nicholas and Regan Amos.

Nicholas' first strike was a 44-yard toss to Amos on Faulkner's opening drive while the subsequent series concluded with a 17-yard touchdown pass to the same target.

Kawon Bryant was on the receiving end of a pitch-and-catch scenario with Nicholas on the third trip down field that culminated in a 9-yard score that left the visitors with a 21-0 lead after a quarter of play.

A 1-yard flick to Taylor Bowling concluded Nicholas' first-half passing assault early in the second.

While CCU was preoccupied with the worry of continued threats through the air, the visiting Eagles began assembling points in ways they had yet to try.

Running back Joe Jones delivered Faulkner's first rushing score of the day via a 2-yard scamper on the following drive before Bubba Scanlan added a pair of points to the total with a safety just moments later.

Alvin Renteria capped the first half with a 30-yard field goal, his first of the year, moving the team into a 40-0 advantage at the break.

Faulkner put the ship on cruise control in the second half, scoring just once in each remaining quarter.

Nicholas found Michael Watkins from five yards out in the third frame and closed play 24-for-37 with 298 yards and five touchdowns. Watkins had 64 yards on five catches.

Quarterback Mason Blocker carried the ball across the goal line for the final time in the fourth quarter. He was 4-for-4 with 66 yards and a rushing touchdown against CCU.

Amos wrapped up the afternoon with 104 yards and two touchdowns on eight snags while also setting the Faulkner single-season reception record with 68.

Austin Seymour was the rushing leader for the visitors with 28 yards on 11 touches.

Jones registered 26 yards and a score on seven carries, while Bryant added 22 yards on nine efforts and scored on his lone reception of the day.

Linebacker Ryan Lee spearheaded the defense booking eight total tackles that included an 11-yard sack.

Will Winters followed with six bring-downs and Willie Bland had four tackles, a pass breakup and an interception that he returned 47-yards into CCU territory.

Scanlan had three total tackles including the safety.

Faulkner will close out the regular season against Edward Waters (Fla.) in Mid-South Conference Sun Division action on Saturday at Billy D. Hilyer Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.