BLUEFIELD, Va. -- No. 10 Lindsey Wilson College left nothing in the playbook on Saturday in its Mid-South Conference East Division matchup with the Rams, as four different Blue Raiders tossed for touchdowns en route to the 69-10 win for the visitors at Mitchell Stadium. The Rams threw a pair of picks and lost three fumbles, helping LWC take the runaway win. Saturday served as Senior Day for the Rams, as seniors
Benjamin Barrett (manager),
Joel Calfee,
Cameron Carter,
David Gianesin,
Richard Johnson and
Dylan Kidd were honored.
Bluefield drops to 3-7 for the season, 1-4 in MSC East matchups, while the Blue Raiders move to 8-2 overall and 5-0 division record to set up a clash with 5-0 Georgetown next weekend in Columbia, Ky.
The Rams struggled to find its offensive edge against the hard-nosed LWC defense, recording just 70 rushing yards in the opening half. The second half was stronger for BC, led by
Adrian Pope, as the team added 200 more yards on the ground. For the game, Bluefield tallied 337 yards of total offense, while Lindsey Wilson totaled 462 on just 60 plays.
Pope led Bluefield with 105 yards on 17 attempts, while
Sam Bennett followed with 65 on 15 carries.
LWC built a 27-0 lead through the opening quarter. Their first drive appeared to have stalled, but punter Blake Roberts completed a 15-yard pass on fourth down to keep the series moving. Quarterback Branden Cresap connected on two more pass plays with the second going for 29 yards and a score for the 7-0 lead after the PAT.
The Rams' first turnover came on an interception, as
Cory Mabry tossed his first pass of the season looking to catch the Blue Raiders off guard. But, the underthrown pass was picked off and the visitors quickly punched in the score with Josh Haney running in from two yards out.
The trickery came out again as LWC looked as if they'd attempt a field goal later in the quarter, but a flip over the head from the holder and a touchdown pass from kicker Caleb Keaton increased the score to 20-0, as the PAT was no good.
The Rams were forced to punt again and the Blue Raiders continued to use any play necessary, as a backward toss from Cresap to Michael Thrower set up Thrower's passing score from 31 yards out for the 27-0 lead.
Bluefield carried its following possession into the second quarter, with the nine-play, 28-yard drive ending in a 31-yard field goal from
James Gunn.
LWC went up 34-3 as a blocked punt was returned for a score, while the edge grew to 41-3 on a seven-yard run from Cortez Barber.
Bluefield forced a punt to open the third quarter, but a fumble for the Rams on their opening series was returned down to the six-yard line for the Blue Raiders to set up another score and a 48-3 lead.
The Rams put a drive together in response, moving 68 yards in 12 plays, with
Adrian Pope punching in the score from one-yard out to make it 48-10.
Lindsey Wilson added two more scores in the third quarter and tacked on one more in the fourth to take the 69-10 final.
Cordell Johns led the Rams with eight tackles, followed by seven from
Gabe Spencer.
Harry Casseus added five, including 1.5 sacks.
Bluefield closes the 2014 campaign next week at Cumberlands. The Patriots are 2-7 this season after logging a 20-17 win over Kentucky Christian, Saturday. They are 1-4 in MSC East matchups.
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