BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Kade Bell returned under center for Jacksonville and the Dolphins returned to their winning ways. After missing the past three games with an appendectomy, Bell threw four touchdown passes and 251 yards to lead the JU football team to a 52-45 win over Campbell at Barker-Lane Stadium.
Campbell came out of the gates looking like anything but a 1-5 team, but every first half score by the Camels was matched by a scoring drive from JU. Bell twice found Andrew Robustelli in the endzone and also connected with Yeovanti Williams to disallowed any momentum being built up by Campbell.
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The Dolphins (3-4; 2-2 PFL) eventually took a 28-24 lead at halftime before they pulled away in the second half with 24 unanswered points capped off by a 32 yard strike by Bell to D'Andre Randle.
The touchdown reception gave JU a 52-31 lead with five minutes to go in the third quarter, but wasn't the only big play of the day from Randle. Two possessions earlier the sophomore wideout took an end-around and went 84 yards for a game breaking score.
In the fourth quarter however running back Kurt Odom would keep Campbell in the game. First he hauled in a 30 yard score on a wide receiver pass then took another short pass and broke it for a 50 yard score with two minutes left to play.
The ensuing onside kick attempt was touched before traveling the full ten yards giving possession to JU. The Dolphins were not out of the woods yet however. Facing a key third and two with one minute remaining, Head Coach Kerwin Bell called on freshman running back Ulysses Bryant who delivered with a 15 yard run to seal the win. Bryant finished with a team high 120 yards on 17 carries.
Campbell entered the game ranked second among FCS team with over 285 yards per game on the ground. The JU defensive front answered the challenge holding the Camels to 189 yards rushing. Maroa White help lead the attack up front posting 2.5 sacks and nine total tackles to go along with a forced fumble. Andre Addison also had nine tackles and a pass breakup
Jacksonville returns to action at home next Saturday when the Dolphins host Davidson at 1:00 pm for homecoming.