Box Score

PIKEVILLE, Ky. – The University of Pikeville opened up a 28-0 lead at the half and cruised to a 56-13 win over Bluefield College, Thursday night in Mid-South Conference East Division football action.
 
The Bears improve to 2-0 and 1-0 in MSC East play, while the Rams are now 0-2, 0-1 as the contest was the first conference game of the year for both teams.
 
After showing a strong run game last week in its win over NCAA DI FCS program Morehead State, the Bears took to the air against BC, amassing 299 passing yards. The Rams, however, totaled 283 total yards of offense, 148 rushing and 135 passing.
 
Bluefield recorded all of its points on the evening in the third quarter, beginning with its first drive. Ashten Dixon, who replaced starting quarterback Josh Erby in the first quarter, led the Rams on a 12-play, 73-yard scoring drive to open the second half, highlighted duo of lengthy plays. Caleb Frye converted the PAT.
 
Facing a third-and-15 play, Dixon found an open Matt Hollandsworth in the middle of the field for a 25-yard completion and a move into UPike territory.
 
On the next play, Dixon called his own number and moved 34 yards to the Bears' one-yard line. After a couple stops from UPike's defense, Lamont Edwards busted into the endzone for the touchdown, his second of the year.
 
The Bears tacked on two more scores during the third, but Bluefield bookended scores with a touchdown on the final play of the quarter.
 
This time, Dixon connected with Richard Johnson for a 57-yard score as time expired. The PAT was missed.
 
Pikeville closed out the game with two more touchdowns in the final quarter, including a 32-yard score on a fourth-and-three play.
 
Dixon completed the night going 8-for-16 for 124 yards and one touchdown, but also had two interceptions. Erby was 2-for-4 for 11 yards in his first quarter action.
 
UPike used a pair of quarterbacks, A.J. Graham and Reese Browning. Graham provided more of a run option for the Bears, going for 51 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns. He also went 7-for-10 in the air for 91 yards. Browning converted 12-for-20 in the passing game for 208 yards.
 
Dixon also led the Rams' rushing game, totaling 66 yards on eight carries. Edwards completed the game with 56 yards rushing on nine attempts.
 
The Bears were led on the ground by Marquis Terrell, totaling 81 yards on six carries.
 
Johnson was the Rams' top receiver for the second straight game, with 69 yards on three receptions.
 
Jordan Amis caught six passes for 142 yards and two touchdowns to pace UPike's receiving corps.
 
Bluefield now enters its off week, before opening its home schedule on Sept. 21 against another MSC East opponent, Kentucky Christian. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Mitchell Stadium.
 
It will also be Local Youth Football night, with all students grades 12 and under receiving free admission for wearing their team's football jersey.