December 6th, 2025 3:30pm
From Newberry sports information:
The Newberry College Wolves (12-1) rallied from down 21-3 in the first quarter to defeat top regional seed Albany State on the road 31-24 to advance to the national semifinals for the first time in school history.
Quez Spells had 159 all-purpose yards and scored two touchdowns, Reed Charpia threw for 244 yards and a score, and linebacker Devron Williams blocked a field goal and returned it for a touchdown to spark Newberry to a school record tying 10th consecutive victory and improved their record in one score games to 9-0.
Defensive lineman Jaydon Eason had 10 tackles including 1.5 tackles for loss and half a sack, linebacker Mikey Blandin registered seven tackles and a quarterback pressure, fellow linebacker KyHeim Bethea also had seven tackles, and a pass break up while defensive back Santory Jones also had seven tackles. Defensive back Quan Peterson had a forced fumble and fumble recovery and two pass break ups.
It marked the third time this season Newberry has rallied from a 21-0 or 21-3 first half deficit to earn the victory.
The Wolves also improved to 6-0 on the road and defeated the #1 and #2 regional seeds on the road to advance to the national semifinals.
In a game played in a steady downpour and cool temperatures, the Golden Rams jumped out quickly, grabbing a 21-3 lead with 2:19 left in the first quarter.
But the Wolves scored three second quarter touchdowns to grab a 24-21 advantage by halftime.
The second quarter did not start well as Charpia threw an interception in the end zone to halt a Wolves drive at the Golden Rams eight-yard line.
But the Wolves forced a punt from Albany State and the offense responded by driving 76 yards in four plays with Charpia connecting with Keith Desaussure on a 32-yard pass and 12 yards to Spells for the Wolves first touchdown of the game to cut the lead to 21-10.
After the defense responded with a three and out, the offense was back at it, driving 57 yards on four plays to cut the lead to 21-17.
Charpia completed a 20-yard pass to De'Andre Coleman, Desaussure took an end around for 16 yards to the Golden Ram eight-yard line and backup quarterback Coleman Gray executed a run option play to Will Young who ran in for the touchdown, his first touchdown of the year.
Albany State then responded, driving 49 yards in nine plays to the Wolves 26-yard line, but Williams blocked the 43-yard field goal attempt, scooped up the ball at the 33-yard line and returned it 67 yards for the score with no time remaining on the clock to give the Wolves the improbable halftime lead.
Neither team got much offense going on their first two possessions of the second half, but Charpia used his feet to scramble outside the pocket on third and 13 and connected with Young on a 28-yard pass to the Golden Ram 34-yard line.
On the next play Spells burst though the right side of the line for a touchdown to give the Wolves a 31-21 lead with 7:41 left in the third quarter.
Albany State cut the lead to 31-24 with a field goal with 2:25 left in the quarter.
Spells then returned the kickoff 79 yards to the Albany State 16-yard line, but the Wolves could not convert as they missed a 30-yard field goal.
The Wolves' defense rose to the occasion again in the fourth quarter, stopping the Golden Rams on three consecutive drives to force a trio of punts.
On the final drive of the game, the Golden Rams started on their own 20-yard line and drove all the way to the Wolves 20-yard line with 10 seconds remaining, but Newberry forced a pair of incomplete pass attempts to end the game.
The Wolves finished with just 318 yards of total offense to 382 for Albany State, but the Newberry defense held the Golden Rams to just 154 yards in the second half.
Newberry won despite turning the ball over three times.
The Wolves will travel to Big Rapids, Michigan Saturday to face defending national champion Ferris State.