Football Wins Season Opener<br><i>Watch Clifton, Williams postgame interviews</i>

MARS HILL, N.C. - Jonas Randolph rushed for 163 yards and the Lions' recorded 523 total yards to win their season opener, 27-7, over the University of Charleston, Saturday afternoon in the Ammons Family Athletic Center and Meares Stadium.

Randolph averaged six yards per carry and caught two passes for 41 yards to accumulate 204 yards of total offense. Quarterback Jon Richt was 16-26 for 250 yards and three touchdown strikes. Tight end Josh Crumpton caught six passes for 68 yards while Dimitri Holmes caught two passes for 64 yards including a 56 yard touchdown reception. Linebacker Rudy Cabral led the Lions' defense with 10 tackles (8 solo) followed by defensive end Troy Harris who added eight tackles a tackle for loss and a sack. Defensive End Chisom Onyeuku tallied six tackles, three tackles-for-loss and two sacks in the win. The Lions defense held Charleston to just 68 yards on the ground.

"We played hard on both sides of the ball," stated head coach Tim Clifton. He added, "I loved the two goal line stands our defense withstood; they were huge. I thought our offensive line controlled their defensive front. I thought we threw the ball well, and our defense was solid throughout the game. As far as running the ball, you can't say enough about Jonas Randolph."

MHC scored on their opening drive when Richt hit a wide open Crumpton in the endzone on a nine-yard pass to cap off a seven play, 47 yard drive with 12:13 left in the first quarter. Shaikel Davis scampered seven yards to put the Lions ahead 13-0 (10-81; 4:40) at the 13:20 mark in the second frame. The Lions' PAT kick attempt was no good on that score.

Richt then found Holmes on a 56 yard touchdown strike (2-77; 0:40) with 6:38 left in the first half to extend the Lions' advantage to 20-7. The Golden Eagles' only score of the contest came with 2:06 left in the second stanza when Maurice Leake found Darrell Byrd for a 80-yard touchdown play (3-77; 0:45). The team went into the locker room with Mars Hill enjoying a 20-7 lead.

The second half saw only one score. Richt hit Josh Young on a 47-yard scoring pass (8-80; 2:58) with 1:23 left in the third quarter. There was a 30-minute lightening delay in the fourth quarter. After the delay, MHC's defense held strong to obtain their first victory of the 2011 campaign and avenge a 42-20 loss at Charleston last season.

After today's victory, Mars Hill has won 120 games in Meares Stadium, covering a span of 45 years. Tim Clifton recorded his 99th head coaching victory this afternoon. He is second in all-time coaching victories in SAC history.

Mars Hill will play at Western Carolina next Saturday. Kickoff in Cullowhee is set for 6 p.m.

Click here to watch Coach Clifton & Mitch Williams (OL) post game interviews...