LEXINGTON, Va. (Interstat) — In a stunning reversal of pregame expectations, the Wofford Terriers delivered a commanding 52-10 victory over the Virginia Military Institute Keydets on Saturday at Foster Stadium, erupting for 42 unanswered points after an early deficit.

The result was a dramatic departure from the projections, as Interstat’s game simulator had forecast a narrow 26-25 win for VMI, which entered the contest as an 11.5-point favorite. The Terriers, given a 72.5 percent probability to win by the same service’s ELO system, vastly outperformed both predictions, while the combined score of 62 points easily surpassed the over/under line of 46.5.

The game began as forecast, with the Keydets seizing immediate control. On the opening drive, VMI quarterback Chandler Wilson connected with Morgan McPhaul on a 73-yard pass, setting up a first-and-goal. After three rushing attempts by Nana Utsey moved the ball to the 1-yard line, Wilson found Owen Sweeney for a 1-yard touchdown pass, giving the home team a 7-0 lead with 11:22 remaining in the first quarter.

That early success proved to be the high point for VMI. The Wofford offense, which sputtered on its first possession, found its footing in the second quarter. The Terriers got on the board with a 24-yard field goal from Sam Spence at the 12:05 mark. The scoring drive was set up by the first of two critical interceptions by defensive back Maximus Pulley.

Wofford then took its first lead of the game later in the quarter. A 44-yard punt return by Isaiah Scott gave the Terriers excellent field position at the VMI 42. Quarterback J.T. Fayard efficiently moved the offense, capping the drive with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Ivory Aikens. The score gave Wofford a 10-7 lead, which it carried into halftime after a defensive struggle for the remainder of the half.

Any hope of a VMI resurgence was extinguished in a dominant third quarter by the Terriers. Wofford needed just four plays to score on its first drive of the second half, with Fayard hitting Aikens on a 59-yard touchdown strike to extend the lead to 17-7.

The Terrier defense then forced a three-and-out, and the offense went right back to work. A methodical drive was finished by Fayard’s 6-yard touchdown pass to Terrance Honeywood, pushing the advantage to 24-7. On the ensuing VMI possession, linebacker Wyatt Ward forced and recovered a fumble, giving Wofford the ball back in Keydet territory. Fayard capitalized once more, finding Aikens for an 18-yard touchdown, their third scoring connection of the day, to make it 31-7.

The onslaught continued into the fourth quarter. On Wofford’s first offensive play of the period, Fayard launched a 77-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Scott, increasing the lead to 38-7. Just moments later, Pulley sealed the victory in spectacular fashion, intercepting a Nana Utsey pass and returning it 45 yards for a touchdown, stretching the margin to 45-7.

VMI managed to add a 30-yard field goal from Jack Joyce with 8:37 remaining, but Wofford’s reserves provided the final exclamation point. Running back Isaiah Nell capped a late drive with a 14-yard touchdown run to bring the final score to 52-10.

Statistically, the game was a showcase for Wofford quarterback J.T. Fayard. The Katy, Texas, native completed 22 of 33 passes for 365 yards and five touchdowns, spreading the ball to a multitude of receivers. Ivory Aikens was his primary target, hauling in four passes for 86 yards and three touchdowns. Isaiah Scott was equally dynamic, catching five passes for 113 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 85 return yards.

For the struggling Keydets, Chandler Wilson of Knoxville, Tennessee, completed 14 of 20 passes for 138 yards, one touchdown and one interception before being relieved. The VMI ground game was led by Aslin Shipe, who rushed for 32 yards, and Nana Utsey, who added 29 rushing yards. Punter Ben Shrewsbury of Jonesborough, Tennessee, was a bright spot, averaging 52.8 yards on eight punts.

With the win, Wofford improves its season record to 4-6, having now won three of its last four games. Virginia Military Institute falls to 1-9 with the loss, its ninth consecutive defeat. Wofford will look to continue its improved form next Saturday when it travels to face The Citadel. Virginia Military Institute will seek to end its losing streak on the road against Furman.