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BLUEFIELD, Va. – The Bluefield College football team posted its highest score in its three seasons back on the gridiron, but it wouldn't be enough as Mid-South Conference East Division foe University of Pikeville was carried by 346 passing yards from freshman quarterback Hasani Warren in the visitors' 62-40 win at Mitchell Stadium on Thursday evening.
 
Bluefield tallied its second-highest total offense output in the defeat, managing 504 yards. Nine different Rams compiled more than 10 yards rushing, leading to a team total of 397 net yards on the ground—the second-highest rushing total in a single game.
 
The Rams' (0-1, 0-1 MSC East) held the Bears (1-0, 1-0 MSC East) to a field goal attempt on the game's opening drive, and a missed 39-yarder sent the Rams on offense. BC methodically moved downfield and converted a trio of third downs in its 14-play, 78-yard scoring drive. Sam Bennett provided the opening score of the season on a one-yard rush into the endzone, giving BC a 7-0 lead after the PAT from Patrick Hilton.
 
However, Warren helped the Bears respond on their next drive, as the freshman found Aaron Jackson for a 27-yard score, just one play after a fourth-and-three conversion.
 
BC continued to hit the ground in its next series, as four different Rams—Marion Harris, Justin Brown, Adrian Pope and Ashten Dixon—all produced yardage. But, it was a toss from Dixon to junior Dylan Kidd that earned the Rams the lead again, 13-7 after the extra-point was fumbled on the snap.
 
While BC's first two drives looked promising, UPike found the endzone on its ensuing three possessions—six and 90-yard TD passes from Warren and a four-yard run from Quan Weaver—to earn a 28-13 lead.
 
Bluefield found the endzone once again on its next drive, charging 71 yards on 10 plays. Armani Ford quarterbacked the Rams during this set, taking 24 yards on the ground by himself. Harris tallied the score from 10 yards out to cut the deficit to 28-20, UPike.
 
However, the Bears added two more scores late in the quarter, one being aided by a blocked punt attempt from the Rams, and suddenly held a 42-20 edge.
 
Bluefield opened the second half with the ball, and a pair of fumbles traded possession back-and-forth in the early goings. With BC once again having possession, the Rams put together another lengthy drive, using 11 plays to cover 76 yards for another score. Adrian Pope converted a key fourth-and-four in the series to keep it going and Rodrell Smith caught a 28-yard toss from Dixon to make it 42-27, UPike, after another good PAT from Hilton.
 
Pikeville's offense continued to roll though, as Warren racked up the yards. The freshman connected for his fifth TD pass of the night on a 35-yard pass to Shawnta Zachary, then ran one in from six yards out to push the score to 56-27. UPike's third-straight TD in the third quarter came as John Dudley Hilton returned a fumble and gave the Bears their 62 points for the night.
 
BC tallied a pair of scores in the fourth—a 10-yard run from Bennett and a nine-yard run from Dixon—but the damage had already been done and UPike claimed the 62-40 win.
 
Harris' 79 yards rushing led the team on the ground, closely followed by backup quarterback Ford's 66 yards on six attempts.
 
Dixon led the Rams at quarterback for most of the night, connecting on 10-of-17 passes for a pair of touchdowns and 100 yards in addition to 56 yards on the ground. David Gianesin led the receiving corps with 45 yards, while Rodrell Smith and Dylan Kidd each pulled in touchdown catches. Armani Ford also logged time at QB, completing one pass for seven yards but also rushing six times for 66 yards.
 
Gabe Spencer tallied seven tackles to lead the BC defense, while Anthony Rivers had five tackles, including one for loss, to go along with one interception and a pass break up. Robert Boatright also had five total tackles.
 
Warren finished the night going 16-for-20 in his collegiate debut, connecting with four different Bears for TD passes (five TDs in all), then adding one on the ground for himself. Shawnte Johnson had just two catches, but led all receivers with 126 yards thanks to the 90-yard TD early in the second quarter. Jamar Kirksey led UPike on the ground with 66 yards. The Bears racked up 165 yards on the ground as they tallied 511 yards of total offense—resulting in 1,015 total yards of offense between the two teams.
 
Bluefield hits the field again next Saturday, as it begins a three-game road stretch in Clinton, S.C., against Presbyterian College. Kickoff is 7 p.m.