Box Score The N.C. Wesleyan football team opened the 2025 season in impressive fashion on Thursday night, cruising to a 64–12 victory over Averett University at Vernon T. Bradley Stadium. In front of capcity crowd, the Bishops set the tone early and never looked back, piling up 627 yards of total offense while holding the Cougars to under 200 yards.

Quarterback Javier Rice engineered a near-flawless performance through the air, completing 6-of-9 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns. His top targets were Michael Pannell, who caught three passes for 133 yards and a 75-yard score, and Tyson Resper, who added three receptions for 86 yards and two touchdowns, including a 73-yard strike in the first quarter.

The Bishops also flexed their strength on the ground, rushing for 396 yards as a team. Nahir Seagraves paced the backfield with 152 yards and an 86-yard touchdown run, while Trae Sechrest added 83 yards and a score, and Keondrick Melton powered in for two short-yardage touchdowns. Zamarreon Winborne also contributed a 16-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, NC Wesleyan swarmed the Cougars, forcing three turnovers and limiting Averett to just 1.6 yards per rush. Eric Cooper highlighted the defensive effort with an interception return to set up a scoring drive, while Savonte McKeithan and Chris Kirby anchored a unit that tallied multiple tackles for loss and kept Averett out of rhythm throughout the night.

By halftime, the Bishops had built a commanding 43–6 lead, fueled by explosive plays and a suffocating defense. They added three more touchdowns after the break to seal the victory and start the season at 1–0.

With the win, NC Wesleyan showcased its offensive balance, defensive toughness, and depth across the roster. The Bishops will look to carry this momentum into next week as they continue their non-conference slate on the road at Newport News Apprentice with a 1pm kickoff.