GRAFTON – Wyatt Morris ran for 230 yards and scored four touchdowns on 32 carries as the Buckhannon-Upshur Buccaneers recorded a 41-6 win over the homestanding Grafton Bearcats in a Big 10 Conference game Friday night.

The Bucs racked up 412 yards off offense in ending their four-game losing streak.

They gained an impressive 358 yards on the ground behind Morris’ effort and another 54 through the air against the winless Bearcats (0-8).

“With our personnel, we have to be able to run the ball,” stated Buckhannon-Upshur head coach Zach Davis. “We need to control the ball and rush for 300 yards. If we can do that, we will win a lot of games.”

Morris was quick to give credit to his offensive line for his big game.

“The offensive line did an amazing job creating massive holes for me,” remarked Morris. “They made my job pretty easy. It was nice to get the win after losing four in row.”

On the first offensive play of the game, B-U’s Chase Hackett stepped in front of a Camden Foley pass and returned it for the touchdown, but a flag on the Bucs negated the touchdown but they were still set up in good shape starting their drive at the Grafton 24.

It took Morris just two carries to find the end zone putting the Bucs up 6-0 with just 32 seconds gone in the first quarter.

Wyatt Mason’s kick was good as B-U took a 7-0 lead.

B-U forced Grafton to punt on their next possession and started their next drive at their own 42.

Seven plays later, Morris burst up the middle for a 19-yard touchdown run.

Mason was true on his kick as the Bucs took a 14-0 lead with 7:16 still showing on the first-quarter clock.

The Buc weren’t done scoring in the opening quarter as Morris found the end zone again on B-U’s next drive from six yards out.

Morris was good again with his kick as Buckhannon-Upshur took a 21-0 lead with 1:11 remaining in the opening quarter.

B-U made it 28-0 on Morris’ fourth touchdown, a five-yard run over right tackle on the first play of the second quarter.

Daniel Hedrick got into the scoring act for the Bucs with a one-yard plunge for a touchdown making it 35-0 with 9:29 remaining in the half.

Grafton’s only score occurred on a 22-yard pass from Foley to Kaden Keener with 41 seconds left in the opening half.

The lone score of the second half belonged to Hackett, who picked off his second pass of the day and returned it 38 yards for the score. There were no flags on this return as the score stood.

“We really started out fast and the game sort of got out of control from Grafton when we went up 21-0 midway through the first quarter,” stated Davis. “I wish we could have finished the game a little bit better, but I am proud of how we played. I think tonight shows the effort our team puts into practice. We practiced every look that Grafton gave us in practice this week. It is a credit to the kids for soaking it in.”

Hedrick ran for 36 yards and a score while Bryson Johnston added 30 yards on six totes for the B-U ground game.

B-U quarterback Brody McDaniels completed five of his eight passes for 54 yards with Carter Zuliani hauling in two passes for 24 yards while Johnston had two catches for 18 yards.

Grafton gained just 20 yards on the ground, led by reserve tailback Jeremiah Quinn’s three fourth-quarter touches for 13 yards.

Foley completed 19 of his 37 passes for 198 yards but was picked off twice.

His top receiver was Dillan America who caught nine passes for 110 yards.

The Bucs, now 3-6 on the year, will wrap up their campaign next Friday hosting Preston.

Preston will enter the game with a 1-7 record after losing to University, 50-19, Friday night.