The Guilford College football team made the trip to Hampden-Sydney College for a conference battle with the Tigers. The Quakers comeback fell short with seconds left in regulation, dropping the game, 28-21.

Bailey Baker led the offense going 25-43 for 323 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Eric Mays caught 13 passes, totaling 166 yards and two scores.

Hampden-Sydney opened the game receiving the ball first. The Tigers were able to move the ball into Guilford territory but on 4th-and-4, the Quaker defense forced an incomplete pass and gave the ball to the GC offense on its own 27.

The first play, Bailey Baker found Eric Mays for a 29-yard reception. Two plays later, Baker connected with Kyle Lovett for a 44-yard score. Cameron Haiduven's point after attempt was good to give Guilford a 7-0 lead at 9:32 in the first.

On their next drive, the Tigers moved the ball methodically down the field using a mix of passing and running. H-SC capped off the drive with a three-yard run for a touchdown and tied the game at seven with 5:42 left in the first.

Over the next seven possessions, both teams went back-and-forth but were not able to add any points to the scoreboard. With 4:18 left in the first half, Hampden-Sydney took over at the Guilford 38. The Tigers used eight plays to cover the 38 yards and take a 14-7 lead going into the half.

To begin the third quarter, the Quakers started with possession at their 20. GC used 6:47 of the clock to go 80 yards in 16 plays as Baker found Mays in the right side of the endzone to tie the game at 14. 14-yard runs by Cory Casilac and an 18-yard completion to Lovett highlighted the drive.

However, Hampden-Sydney looked to respond and did so as its offense went 55 yards in 11 plays led by a 11-yard touchdown run to take a 21-14 edge with 2:59 remaining in the third.

Both teams exchanged punts as Guilford took over with 7:18 left in regulation. The Quakers began to move the ball downfield but were faced with a 4th-and-7 at the H-SC 27. Baker found Mays over the middle for a 10-yard pickup and a first down. On the next play, two duo connected once more this time for a 17-yard score to even the game at 21.

The Tigers next drive started at their own 42 following a 23-yard return on the kickoff. Four-plays and 60 yards later, the hosts were into the endzone thanks to a 21-yard reception for the score. Hampden-Sydney regained the advantage, 28-21, with 1:46 left in regulation.

On the ensuing kickoff, Chadz Stevenson broke loose and returned the ball 48 yards to the Hampden-Sydney 40. Guilford tried to move the chains but was unable to do so and gave the ball back to the Tigers on downs.

First down rush for H-SC proved costly as the Tigers running back fumbled the ball and Adam Lacy recovered to give GC another shot to tie the game. The Quakers completed passes of 20 and 16 yards to Mays and JuJu Rice, respectively, to set up 1st-and-Goal at the H-SC three with 16 seconds remaining in regulation.

On the next play, Baker was scrambling in the pocket and looked right but his pass was intercepted in the endzone for a touchback and ultimately ended the game.


Lovett added 112 yards on five receptions and a touchdown while Casilac ran for 70 yards on 10 attempts. Joey Strong Jr. and Monterias Howard led the defense with 10 tackles.

Guilford remains on the road as it travels to Averett University on Saturday, November 5. Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m.