by Taylor Hodges

LAURINBURG, N.C. - After dropping two straight games to ranked opponents, the Faulkner football team (2-2) defeated upstart St. Andrews (1-3) 38-20 here in non-divisional Mid-South Conference action this afternoon.

Michael Watkins got the game started for the Eagles with a 87-yard touchdown return on the opening kickoff.

Quarterback Clayton Nicholas went 27-for-39 with 245 yards and two touchdowns.

Fellow quarterback Mason Blocker had a chance to run the offense, and threw for 63 yards on nine completions and added a touchdown pass of his own.

Running back Josh Gaines was a force to be reckoned with on the ground. He carried the ball for 107 yards on eight attempts and scored.

Reagan Amos was the leading receiver for the Eagles with 97 yards and one touchdown on nine grabs.

Terrance Sims and Alex Pina-Rhoden added a receiving touchdown each, and recorded 56 yards on five catches and 27 yards on four snags, respectively.

The defense held the Knights offense scoreless in the first half, and only gave up two scores in the game. The secondary came up big holding the St. Andrews offense to just 80 yards in the air.

Faulkner also disrupted play up front recording an impressive ten sacks in the outing. Ryan Lee led the assault with 2.5 of them which included a strip-sack in the first quarter.

Zeryes Rivers also forced a fumble late in the first quarter and Nate Black led the team with six total tackles.

Kylan Cotton logged a tackle and intercepted the last pass of the game.

Faulkner's next game will be at home against division foe Webber International on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m.