MARYVILLE, Tenn. - The Berry College football team held Maryville College Scots scoreless through three quarters in a 27-7 win.

The Vikings got on the board first with a 21-yard field goal from Conner Hughes to cap an eight-play, 54-yard drive, giving Berry a 3-0 lead with 8:55 remaining in the first quarter. The Berry defense then made a major play late in the quarter as Malaki Knight recovered a fumble and returned it 23 yards for a touchdown. Hughes added the extra point to extend the Vikings' lead to 10-0 with 1:41 remaining in the opening quarter.

Berry continued to control the game in the second quarter. Andrew Hunter connected with Cameron Coleman for an 11-yard touchdown pass to cap an eight-play, 69-yard drive, pushing the Vikings' advantage to 17-0 with 6:16 left in the half. The defense continued to limit the Scots' opportunities, while Hughes added a 38-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter to send Berry into halftime with a commanding 20-0 lead.

The Vikings picked up right where they left off to start the second half. After a five-play, 78-yard drive, Hunter connected with Devin Gale for a 65-yard touchdown pass with 11:56 remaining in the third quarter. Hughes converted the extra point to give Berry a 27-0 advantage. The Vikings' defense continued to pressure the Scots, keeping Maryville off the scoreboard through the remainder of the third quarter.

Maryville finally found the end zone in the fourth quarter with a five-yard rushing touchdown from Jaxon Dabrowski with 4:49 remaining, cutting the lead to 27-7. However, Berry maintained control for the remainder of the game to secure the 27-7 road victory.

Hunter led the Vikings' passing attack, completing 11 of 16 attempts for 178 yards and two touchdowns. Gale led Berry's receivers with 66 yards on two receptions, including the 65-yard touchdown, while Coleman added six receptions for 59 yards and a touchdown. Andrew Davis led the Vikings on the ground with 59 net rushing yards on 15 carries. 

Defensively, Berry held Maryville to 120 passing yards and just 22 net rushing yards. Gabe Bauman recorded eight total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. Liam Jeffries also finished with eight total tackles, while the Vikings' defense recorded five sacks and forced a turnover that Knight returned for a touchdown. Hughes finished the day perfect on special teams, converting both field goal attempts and all three extra points.

The Vikings will return home to Valhalla Stadium next Saturday, October 31, as they host Centre College at 1 p.m.