Bluefield College Athletics issued the following announcement on Sept. 6
Bluefield University opened the 2021 football season dropping a 45-33 decision to Thomas More University, Saturday night at Mitchell Stadium.
The visiting Saints jumped to a 17-0 lead thanks to a pair of touchdown passes by Blaine Espinoza. Sandwiched in between was a TMU 34-yard field goal. The Rams got on the board with 1:41 to play in the first quarter when Nathan Herstich and Antonio Strickland connected on a 78-yard pass for BU's first score of the season. Tanner Griffith's extra point made it 17-7.
BU drew to within a field goal with 1:20 left in the first half. Herstich passed again to Strickland for the score, this one from 22 yards out. The PAT was no good. Thomas More then proceeded to punch the ball into the end zone on another Espinoza TD pass to make it 24-13 at the half.
Espinoza threw two more scoring strikes in the third quarter to push Thomas More's lead to 38-13 before Bluefield responded. Strickland scored on a two yard run to make it 38-19. Into the fourth period Josh Nelson passed 27 yards to Strickland for the score, capping a seven-play, 81-yard drive.
The game's final three minutes saw each team score. TMU added a score and an extra point to go up 45-26. BU's final score came on a 62-yard pass from Nelson to Jaquan Ebron. Griffith's kick was good.
DaMarcus Wimbush became Bluefield's all-time sacks leader with a takedown in the second period. Wimbush finished the game with 10 tackles. Tavarius Corbitt had eight tackles and Tri'Mayal Cash had an interception for the Rams.
On the offensive side of the ball Strickland finished the game with 12 catches for 205 yards and two TDs. Strickland added a third score on the ground. Ebron caught five balls for 145 yards and a score. Herstich, in his first game at BU completed 19-of-36 passes for 306 yards. He had two TD strikes ad two interceptions. Nelson finished 7-for-10 for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Herstich was Bluefield's top rusher with 45 yards.
The Rams are back in action September 11, at Emory & Henry College.
Original source can be found here.
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