BABSON PARK, Fla. – Warner University football opened SUN Conference play in dramatic fashion on Saturday afternoon, rallying from a 14-point halftime deficit to defeat Webber International University, 36-31, at Warrior Turf Field.
The victory moves the Royals to 2-3 overall and 1-0 in SUN Conference play, giving Warner an early conference victory in its first SUN matchup of the season.
Webber International jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead before Warner answered with a 16-yard field goal from Brodie Pursell. The Warriors responded with another touchdown, but the Royals continued to battle as Deejay Grimes punched in a one-yard touchdown run to bring Warner within four, 14-10.
Warner's defense then provided a major momentum swing. Following a Webber fumble, Reverson Pierre scooped up the loose ball and returned it 15 yards for a touchdown, giving the Royals their first lead of the afternoon at 17-14.
Webber regained the advantage before the end of the opening quarter and added another touchdown early in the second period to build a 28-17 lead. Warner answered with an 81-yard scoring drive, capped by a three-yard touchdown run from Fareed Coleman, cutting the deficit to 28-24.
The Warriors added a field goal late in the first half, sending Warner into the locker room trailing 31-24.
The Royals came out of halftime with a renewed sense of urgency.
Warner marched 60 yards on its opening scoring drive of the second half, with Traven Green finding Mark Hanniford for a 27-yard touchdown. The failed two-point attempt left the Royals trailing by just one, 31-30.
Warner's defense continued to hold the Warriors in check, and the Royals eventually took the lead for good late in the third quarter. After an eight-play, 62-yard drive, Joshua Dudley powered into the end zone from one yard out. Warner's two-point attempt was unsuccessful, but the Royals had completed the comeback and taken a 36-31 advantage.
The Warner defense shut out Webber over the final two quarters, preserving the five-point victory and securing the Royals' first SUN Conference win of the 2026 season.
Warner's offense finished the afternoon with 416 total yards, including 344 passing yards. The Royals recorded 24 first downs and converted 6-of-13 third-down opportunities. Green led the offensive attack through the air, completing 24-of-36 passes for 344 yards and one touchdown.
Hanniford led the receiving corps with five receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, while Carlos Witherup added six receptions for 70 yards. Trevarus Walker contributed two receptions for 64 yards, including a 50-yard reception.
On the ground, Coleman paced the Royals with 66 rushing yards on nine carries and a touchdown. Dudley added 20 yards and a score, while Grimes finished with four rushing yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Elijah Perry led the Royals with nine total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack. Kendrick Smith and Eysaw Parrish each recorded seven tackles, while Jai Robinson added five tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Pierre also recorded a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown.
Stat Leaders
- Passing: Traven Green – 24-of-36, 344 yards, 1 TD
- Rushing: Fareed Coleman – 9 carries, 66 yards, 1 TD
- Receiving: Mark Hanniford – 5 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD
- Defense: Elijah Perry – 9 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack
- Defense: Kendrick Smith – 7 tackles, 1.5 TFL, 0.5 sack
- Defense: Eysaw Parrish – 7 tackles, 0.5 TFL
- Defense: Jai Robinson – 5 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FF, 1 FR
The Royals will now prepare for another challenging road contest as Warner travels to Miami Gardens, Florida, to face No. 9 St. Thomas University on Saturday, October 10, at 12:00 p.m. at AutoNation Field.
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