INSTITUTE, W.Va. – Lavaughn Hughes accounted for nearly 400 all-purpose yards and four touchdowns to lead West Virginia Wesleyan to a 42-14 victory over West Virginia State on Saturday afternoon.
Hughes returned three punts for a total of 183 yards and two scores to go along with nine catches for 187 yards, a pair of receiving touchdowns and one kick return for 23 yards. Hughes established school records for single season (405) and single game (183) punt return yards (405), while tying the longest punt return record (89 yards).
Nate Montana passed for 414 yards on 28-of-54 passing with four touchdowns.
Malcolm Yowk toted the ball 10 times for 59 yards.
Nyquan McGirt registered 82 yards with five catches and reached pay dirt once.
Jesse Robertson led the Wesleyan defense 11 tackles. Brian Vukela notched seven stops--five for a loss. Stephon Knox registered a pair of interceptions and also broke up three passes.
WVSU quarterback Ricky Phillips was 18-of-46 with 249 yards and two scores, but was picked off on three occasions. Aubra Taylor rushed for 33 yards on 18 attempts. Taylor also led the Yellow Jackets in receiving with 80 yards on five grabs with one score.
Wesleyan scored on the game's opening possession when Montana connected with Hughes from 20 yards out to make the score 7-0. State tied the game early in the second quarter as Phillips hooked up with Josh Johnson. Wesleyan retook the lead on the ensuing drive; Montana dropped a screen to McGirt who scooted 58 yards for the touchdown to making the score 14-7. Hughes scored the game's next two touchdowns on punt returns of 89 and 79 yards respectively to extend the Wesleyan advantage to 28-7 in the third quarter.
Phillips tossed to Taylor across the middle and he jolted 39 yards to trim the deficit to 28-14. State forced a punt on the next Wesleyan drive, but Phillips was intercepted in the endzone by Knox. The Bobcats converted the turnover into a touchdown as Montana hit Devin Simmons from four yards out. Hughes pulled in the game's final score to set the 42-14 margin.
Wesleyan hosts Charleston next Saturday at 1 p.m.
