Holmes Sets SAC Career Receptions Record in Loss at Wingate

WINGATE, N.C. - Dimitri Holmes broke the South Atlantic Conference career receptions record but it wasn't enough as Mars Hill lost to Wingate 24-7 at Irwin Belk Stadium and John R. Martin Field. Wingate improves to 6-4 on the season and 3-3 in the South Atlantic Conference while Mars Hill drops to 4-5 and 3-3 in league play.

Holmes caught three passes on the afternoon and needed two catches entering the game to break the previous SAC record of 263 career receptions held by Wingate's Chris Bowden. Holmes tied the record in the third quarter on a 16-yard reception on 2^nd and 14 on the Lions' first drive of the third quarter. Holmes caught his record-breaking 264^th career pass the next play on a 12-yard reception from Matt Layman that gave the Lions a first down at the Wingate 46. Holmes caught his final pass of the day later in the quarter to give him 265 career receptions.

Layman went eight-for-21 for 99 yards and two interceptions, with Trent Miller completing nine passes for 92 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Keshaun Taylor caught eight passes for 103 yards, with Holmes grabbing three passes for 53 yards. Chris Trimmings caught two passes for 25 yards and a touchdown. Jamel Harbison ran for 103 yards on 22 attempts. Defensively, the Lions were led by Jasper Mason with 12 tackles and a fumble recovery, followed by nine each from Trey Clark and Chris Reeder. Eliott Polycarpe had one interception.

Kyle Johnson was 19-for-35 for 273 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Jordan Berry led Wingate with four receptions for 57 yards and a touchdown. Nestor Lantigua ran for 110 yards and a touchdown on 34 carries. Lantigua also caught a pass for a touchdown. Jon Jimenez made 10 tackles and Brandon Hathaway made three interceptions to lead the Bulldog defense.

After a Mars Hill interception and a 50-yard return by Hathaway on the opening drive, the Bulldogs got on the scoreboard on a Lantigua four-yard run and ensuing point after touchdown for a 7-0 lead with 13:06 to play in the first quarter. Following a three-and-out by the Lions on the next drive, Patrick Smith converted a 20-yard field goal for a 10-0 Wingate lead with 6:48 remaining in the opening frame.

Johnson put the hosts up 17-0 with 12:45 to play in the opening half thanks to a 28-yard strike to Lantigua. He would later connect with Berry for a 33-yard touchdown completion with just under three minutes remaining for a 24-0 Wingate lead, which they would take into halftime.

Wingate would get the ball to start the second half but Smith missed a 27-yard field goal, giving Mars Hill the ball at the Wingate 20-yard line. On the same drive that Holmes etched his name in the South Atlantic Conference record book, Miller found Trimmings in the end zone for a 10-yard pitch-and-catch with 7:38 remaining to cut the Bulldog lead to 24-7.

The Bulldogs were driving early in the fourth quarter and had advanced to the Lions' 17-yard line before Drew Martin forced Lantigua to fumble, which was recovered by Mason. Mars Hill's next drive stalled out and neither team advanced inside the red zone for the remainder of the contest.

Mars Hill finished with 299 yards, with Wingate compiling 499 yards.

Mars Hill closes out the 2014 season next Saturday at home against Tusculum. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The contest will also serve as Senior Day.