BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – All three phases of the game were on display for Notre Dame College, on Saturday, with three offensive touchdowns, a pair of field goals, an interception returned for a touchdown and a punt block for a touchdown. Senior Nathan Moore had a career-high 17 tackles in the 41-9 victory, and he now holds the NDC career tackles record.

Notre Dame has now won four consecutive matchups against West Virginia Wesleyan, and has reached 41 points in each game.

The Falcons had the first possession of the game and did get on the scoreboard, despite a few penalties that could have stalled the drive. On 3rd and 14, from NDC's own 36-yard line, Chris Brimm connected with Reece Perkins for 16 yards and a first down. Two plays later, Tyris Dickerson ran for 11 yards and the Bobcats were called for a chop block on the same play to put NDC in the red zone. Cameron Shirkey capped the 56-yard drive with a field goal.

W.Va. Wesleyan responded right away and Devin Washington returned the kickoff 56 yards to give his offense the ball on NDC's 37-yard line. Nathan Payne connected with Dariuse Cooper for 29 yards and then Javian Tomlinson ran in from four yards out to give the Bobcats a 6-3 lead. The extra point was missed.

"I thought, in the first half, we came out a little lethargic," said head coach Garrett Mack. "Obviously, in the second half, we came out and played really well. It was a tale of two halves. On the first drive, we had about 20 yards of penalties. In the second half, we played a much cleaner game."

When NDC got the ball again, they started to lock in. Dickerson ran three times for 14 yards and Brimm connected with Napoleon Harris on passes of 16 yards and 35 yards. Michael Solomon then caught his first career touchdown pass to put the Falcons ahead 10-6, with 3:46 remaining in the first quarter.

NDC's defense forced WVWC to punt after just three plays and the Falcons' offense started moving down the field. After driving 62 yards in eight plays, a fumble gave the ball back to the Bobcats.

Like they have done all season, the defense stepped up to keep the momentum on the side of the Falcons. Jacalyn Morrison intercepted his third pass of the season, and ran back 15 yards for a touchdown to put Notre Dame up ,17-6.

"I saw the receiver, he was close to the sideline so I knew he was going inside," Morrison mentioned. "I read it, I jumped [the route] and took it to the house."

On the next W.Va. Wesleyan drive, Payne was intercepted, again. This time, Wendell McClain stepped in for his fourth interception of the season. He would return it 23 yards and on the first play of the Falcons' drive, Brimm threw a three-yard TD pass to CJ Kiss. NDC put up 21 unanswered points, following the Bobcats' touchdown.

"[The interceptions] are a great momentum swing," Mack said. "It impacts the game and you can control the field and the atmosphere of the game when they get the ball under control."

Wesleyan drove down 51 yards at the end of the first half and put up three points with a field goal, knowing they would receive the ball to start the second half.

Attempting to gain the momentum back after the half, the Bobcats received the ball in the third quarter. However, the drive was short-lived and they were forced to punt, deep in their own territory. Isaiah Stephens broke through the line, blocked the punt and McClain picked the ball up in the endzone for a touchdown. The Falcons have blocked four kicks this season.

The Falcons' last touchdown drive of the game came in the final five minutes of the third quarter. The 74-yard drive included a 25-yard catch by Jeremy Hamilton and a 20-yard catch by Perkins. Dickerson ran to the left side and in for a four-yard score to put Notre Dame ahead 38-9.

NDC would drive down the field one more time, using 30 rush yards by Jay Sharp, and set up a 46-yard field goal by Shirkey, early in the fourth.

Nathan Moore stood out again, on the defensive side. In six of the seven games this season, Moore has double-digit tackles. On Saturday, he had 14 in the first half and finished with 17, one away from the program record that was set by Mo May in 2012. He now has as many total tackles this season (79) as he had in 2021. And he now has 336 total tackles in his career, which breaks Guam Lee's career record that was set last season.

"I'm just happy to come out here and do what I usually do," Moore explained. "Read my keys, follow my responsibilities and make the plays when they come to me. I give credit to all my guys on defense, they step up and allow me to make the plays that I need to make."

Also on the defensive side, Davonte Murray totaled six tackles, along with 3.5 tackles for loss, a sack and two quarterback hurries.

Brimm threw for 214 yards, while the NDC defense held W.Va. Wesleyan to 60 passing yards. Andre Allen Jr. led all receivers with 55 yards.

NDC comes home next week for a matchup with Glenville State University, on Oct. 22. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.