ATHERTON, CA - The Menlo football team opened its season with a convincing 42-13 victory over visiting Lincoln of San Francisco on Saturday, overcoming a slow start with 35 second-half points as well as over 200 rushing yards from senior Charlie Ferguson.
Tied at 7-7, Menlo stormed into the second half when Ferguson ran back the kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown.
On Lincoln’s next possession, Menlo’s David Schmaier picked up a fumble on a punt attempt and ran 32 yards for the score, giving the Knights a 21-7 advantage midway through the third.
“We have the guys we needed. We’re a small team, so we’re aware we need to be strong and smart.” Menlo senior quarterback Hayden Pegley said. “We came out a little flat in the first half but we had some great special teams plays throughout the game. At halftime, coach (Mark Newton) talked about how it’s a new game, it’s 7-7 start again.
“I really like how we came together as a team in the second half.”
Ferguson finished with 209 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries.
The Knights run defense stopped the Mustangs, and Menlo scored on its next possession. Ferguson set up the score with five rushes, two for 11 and 16 yards, then with 35 seconds left in the quarter, Pegley found Evan King, who pulled in a 10-yard pass. Menlo took a 28-7 lead entering the fourth.
Lincoln scored on a blocked punt but the PAT hit the right crossbar and bounced out to start the fourth.
Pegley countered with a 36-yard run midway through the fourth and Ferguson rumbled for 48 yards on first down to give the Knights a 29-point cushion.
“We played portions of the game really well. Our first half started slow. Our defense was great,” Ferguson said. “Our whole line was doing an incredible job.”
When Menlo suffered a few injuries, “some guys really stepped up,” according to Ferguson.
“Our offensive line has a really different feel, different look, so that was exciting,” Ferguson said. “When you have daylight, it’s really easy to run.
The teams each generated a first-half touchdown with Ferguson breaking free first on a 73-yard run on third down with 3:58 left in the first quarter. Junior Dylan Williams kicked his first of seven PATs for the day.
Lincoln worked its way down the field getting a 1-yard touchdown from Roel Marania two minutes before the half.
