Lenoir-Rhyne couldn’t overcome a slow start on the football field on Friday night and fell 48-21 to the West Florida Argos in the 2025 season opener.
The Bears spotted West Florida 31 points in the first half before Khamoni Robinson connected with Tate O’Bryan for LR’s first score of the season.
Lenoir-Rhyne’s Zayvion Turner-Knox fights through a crowd in Friday’s season opener against West Florida.
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“Very disappointed in the way we put ourselves into a deep hole with turnovers and giving up explosive plays,” said head coach Doug Socha. “Can’t spot a top-10 team any points and we did. We will examine all phases and look to improve.”
West Florida capitalized on a Lenoir-Rhyne fumble on the kickoff, scoring a few plays later to go up 7-0 after just over a minute of play. They continued to take advantage of self-inflicted Lenoir-Rhyne wounds, scoring on each of their first six possessions.
Lenoir-Rhyne's Songa Yates (1) tries to turn the corner in Friday's game against West Florida.
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Robinson hit Zion Agnew for a 51-yard completion just before the half. That deep shot set up the Robinson, O’Bryan score on the next play.
The Argos got the touchdown back early in the second half, but the Bears gained momentum with back-to-back scores from Songa Yates and LJ Turner.
Robinson finished the game 24-for-35 with 310 yards and two touchdowns. Agnew led the Bears receiving corps with four catches for 112 yards and Yates had 91 yards and a touchdown on four catches.
Team captain Tre’von Cooper led the team with 10 tackles and Desmond Greene recorded LR’s first interception of the season. LR allowed six sacks in the game. It was the most allowed since they allowed seven against Ferris State in 2022.
LR will look to bounce back next week when they travel to Tusculum to open South Atlantic Conference play. The Bears’ home opener will be Sept. 13 against Emory & Henry. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
