Dublin, VA - Saturday, November 2, 2009 at 2:00 p.m., Radford University hosted the George Mason University Patriots from Fairfax, VA. Pregame started with the commemoration of Radford's inaugural 2008 season. The beginning of the Tradition was celebrated as well as reaffirmed that it is NOW.

Tradition. Is. NOW. was echoed by the announcer before the start of the game, and as Radford kicker, Matt Broomel booted one inside the 5, the battle was quickly under way.

Having never beaten the established rival opponent, Radford came in to the game looking to make a statement that this year...things were going to be different. As George Mason chose to receive with winning of the opening coin toss, they began the game with endzone hopes. Those hopes were quickly demolished with Outside Linebacker, Eric Zimmett's interception from a shallow slant route off the number 2 receiver for Mason. Zimmett returned the pick for 6, establishing a quick lead for the Highlanders.

After Eric Zimmett stole the little momentum that Mason had, it was all she wrote for Mason from there on out. Radford's offense, led by Quarterback, Mike Massey, and Wide Out, Vittorian 'Tree' Devlin, slowly but surely put the nail in the coffin, burying all hopes of a comeback for the Patriots. Two big hookups between Massey and Tree, resulting in a TD both times, proved to be quite the crowd-pleaser as Tree "prime-timed" it in to the endzone.

As for the Radford defense, Free Safety, Jacob Nichols, shined as usual, while Mark McCoy Jr. dominated the secondary with 2 interceptions, one resulting in 65-yard TD return. Captain, Matt Bales, Defensive End, Sam Dietze, Tackles, Jeremy Sturgill and Justin Coulter walled off any dreams of Mason having a running game. Outside Linebacker, Steve Schrank collapsed the edge game for any option or pitches that the Patriots attempted to run, and Middle Linebacker, Nick Schrank, returned for Radford after recent tryouts with Virginia Arena Teams, Richmond Revolution and Richmond Raiders.

The 31-7 victory for Radford marks a 4-4 season heading in to the final game which will be at The University of South Carolina. The Gamecocks will host the Highlanders on November 14, 2009.