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BLUEFIELD, W. Va. – Three interceptions and two lost fumbles for the Rams turned into 17 points for Belhaven and lost scoring opportunities for themselves, as the Blazers claimed a 40-21 Mid-South Conference, non-divisional win, Saturday afternoon at Mitchell Stadium in front of Bluefield's Homecoming crowd.
 
After each team's opening drives ended with punts, Bluefield (0-6) made its first of five turnovers on the day, as Ashten Dixon threw an interception and Belhaven (2-4) gained possession in BC territory. The Blazers reached the red zone and first-and-goal, but three strong defensive plays including a Marco Vereen tackle-for-loss on third-and-goal held BU to a 24-yard field goal.
 
Bluefield punted on its next two possessions, with Belhaven gaining possession near midfield on both occasions. The Rams defense continued its strong play inside the red zone, once again holding BU to only field goals—one from 29-yards and one from 22-yards.
 
The Rams carried their next possession into the second quarter, trailing 9-0.
 
After a couple of empty possessions, including a botched punt attempt from the Rams resulting in a turnover on downs, Bluefield jumped on the scoreboard with a drive of eight plays, covering 68 yards.
 
A Dixon pass to Dylan Kidd went for 40 yards to move Bluefield into Belhaven territory, while a Belhaven pass interference penalty on third-and-13 continued the Rams' drive later on. Dixon then connected with Matt Hollandsworth for a four-yard strike, pulling BC within two, 9-7.
 
Belhaven answered with a score of its own, driving 72 yards on its ensuing possession. The 14-yard touchdown pass from Brian Ensminger to LaVadius Lyles pushed the score to 16-7, where it remained at the half.
 
The Rams' defense held strong again on another red zone trip for the Blazers, who reached the eight-yard line of BC, but could not convert on a third-and-two. However, Acosta missed the 25-yard field goal attempt to the left, giving BC the ball at its own 20.
 
Bluefield couldn't take advantage of the hollow possession from BU though, and Dixon tossed his second pick of the game on third-and-eight. This time, the interception was returned 35-yards for a touchdown by Darrius Wren, extending the lead to 23-7.
 
A Rams lost fumble then led to another BU touchdown, as they took over possession and moved just 13 yards on four plays for the score and a 30-7 advantage.
 
Acosta added another field goal for the visitors later in the quarter, as the Blazers gained possession following a failed Bluefield fourth-and-two conversion attempt in which freshman Josh Erby came in at the quarterback position.
 
On Erby's second series, the Rock Hill, S.C., native connected with Rodrell Smith for a 66-yard touchdown with less than three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
 
The fourth quarter became sloppy for both sides, with three lost-fumbles—one from BC and two from BU—occurring within a four-minute span.
 
Bluefield then started a drive with 10:15 remaining in the game and moved 77 yards on eight plays, capped by a five yard rush touchdown from Sam Bennett.
 
The Rams had pulled it back to a two-possession game, but Belhaven once again had an answer with an eight-play, 70-yard drive for the final score of the night.
 
After exploding for 533 yards of offense last week, BC was held to 282 against the Blazers with 240 of those yards coming through the air.
 
Erby finished his second half of play with 153 yards passing and completed seven of 17 attempts. Dixon was eight-for-16 on the night, but threw three interceptions. Both quarterbacks had a lost fumble.
 
Smith's 97 yards led BC's receiving corps, followed by 65 yards from Hollandsworth. Adrian Pope led BC's rushing with 24 yards.
 
Daniel Griffin had six punts on the afternoon, averaging 38 yards per punt with a long of 47 for the Rams.
 
Michael McGrue led BC's defense with 11 tackles, while Frank Brooks and Cordell Johns also had double-digit tackles with 10 apiece. Vereen had seven tackles, including 4.5 for a loss of 13 total yards.
 
Bluefield is back at Mitchell Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 19. The Rams host Union College at 6:30 p.m. The game's promotion will be Faith and Family Night.