Football Retains The Bronze Ball

The Anderson University football team captured a 26-20 Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) victory against Manchester University to retain The Bronze Ball on Saturday in North Manchester.

James Lewis punched in a three-yard carry with 14 minutes, 17 seconds left in the second quarter to put the Spartans (0-10, 0-6) on the board. Grant Ridgeway converted the extra-point attempt. Caleb Foor connected with Cam Herron for an 82-yard touchdown pass with 8:36 left in the second quarter. The extra-point attempt was no good.

Anderson took a 12-7 lead with 7:00 left in the third quarter as Foor found Adam Dunson for a 32-yard touchdown pass. The 2-point conversion attempt was no good and the Ravens remained ahead by five. Foor tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Herron with 57 seconds left in the third quarter. Corey Layton converted the extra-point attempt to put the Ravens ahead 19-7. With 18 seconds left in the third quarter, Kaleb Hall delivered a 71-yard touchdown pass to LeVarian Campbell. The extra-point attempt was no good as Anderson held a 19-13 lead through three quarters.

Albert Rabb delivered a 1-yard rushing touchdown with 7:42 to go. Layton's extra point put Anderson ahead 26-13. Hall found Zalin Ingram for a 3-yard touchdown pass with 1:05 left in the game. Ridgeway's extra-point cut Anderson's lead to 26-20. The Spartans managed to recover the onside kick attempt, creating hope for a winning drive. The Ravens managed to force a turnover on downs to seal the win.

Anderson is the first repeat winner of The Bronze Ball since 2018; The Bronze Ball has changed hands the previous six meetings. The Ravens forced four turnovers while the Spartans only caused one. Manchester held a 430-341 advantage in total offense.

Zaire Prioleau picked off three passes, recording the 12th three-plus interception game in school history. The senior from Atlanta also provided five tackles. Travis Billups Jr. intercepted a pass and returned it for 39 yards. Gavin Reners recorded eight tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, three quarterback hurries and one pass breakup. Billups Jr. provided seven tackles and a pass breakup. Khem Harris and Kevin Thomas each turned in tackles for loss while Elie Mongengo added a pass breakup. Jaylen Hayes racked up four quarterback hurries while Jake Simpson, Kam Crawford and DeMarco Cooley each turned in quarterback hurries. Kurtis Watkins, Johnathen Hayworth-Dupree and Simpson each contributed four tackles.

Foor completed 16-of-26 (61.5 percent) passes, throwing for 242 yards and three touchdowns. Herron tallied three receptions, 138 receiving yards and two reception touchdowns. Rabb rushed for 89 yards and a touchdown. Layton converted 2-of-3 extra-point attempts. Dunson provided three receptions, 43 receiving yards and a reception touchdown. Preston Yoder contributed five receptions for 36 receiving yards. Isaiah Rhodes tallied two receptions for 12 receiving yards.

"I am proud of the team and how they poured out everything they had for each other and for our team," Coach Jonathan Coddington said. "It was a great way to finish off the 2025 season and we look forward to building off of it in the offseason as we begin building for 2026. I am thankful for each member of our team and I am excited to continue to build and see the development that is made in the coming year."