By Mike London

mike.london@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Maybe Catawba should play on Sundays more often.

After two thrilling South Atlantic Conference losses on Saturdays, the Indians logged a thrilling South Atlantic Conference victory.

Catawba survived 44-41 in overtime against a school playing football for the first time, a new program that was woodshedded by Limestone not long ago, but wins are wins and Catawba (2-3, 1-2) is glad to get it. A loss to the Anderson Trojans (2-3, 0-3), especially considering the amazing circumstances that were transpiring, would have been devastating.

Sunday’s football game on Kirkland Field at Shuford Stadium was quite literally one for the books, as running back LJ Turner ripped entries from Catawba’s all-time records.

Turner carried 35 times for 328 yards, only the 12th 300-yard rushing game in SAC history. Turner’s yardage total topped Todd Scott’s 298 yards against Lenoir-Rhyne, a school record that had been on the books for 34 years. Turner’s five TDs tied a mark for most touchdowns.

Turner has been one of the best at what he does in Division II this season and is third in rushing nationally after Sunday’s insane game.

He carried the ball 35 times because QB Preston Brown is out and because some running backs and receivers are out. Next man up.

Catawba has had to reinvent itself as a run-heavy team the past couple of weeks, although QB2 Hunter Sheppard helped out with 94 passing yards on Sunday.

It looked like Catawba would win in a breeze early. It was 21-0 after a quarter and Turner already had 100 yards and three TDs.

But the Indians didn’t put the Trojans away, and with Anderson QB Tyler Wesley throwing for 354 yards and four TDs, the lead melted. Catawba never fell behind, but Anderson fought back to 24-21 early in the third quarter, and the teams arm-wrestled from there.

The oddest thing is that after Turner’s fifth TD gave Catawba a 38-28 lead with just 2:34 remaining, the Indians again appeared to have it in the bag, but the last 94 seconds turned into a textbook perfect storm for the visitors — a quick TD, an onside kick recovery, a clutch, tying field goal to force overtime with 7 seconds left.

Anderson had the ball first in the OT — Catawba’s first OT since 2018 — and was held to a field goal.

Kevon Rivera, who had 17 carries for 83 yards as part of Catawba’s 500-yard offensive party, scored the decisive touchdown from the 1 when the Indians got the ball, and 1,205 fans were able to celebrate.

Catawba limited penalties to three and turnovers to one to help out Turner’s historic day.

Limestone is next for the Indians.