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GRAYSON, Ky. – The Bluefield College football team sprang out to a 10-0 lead through the opening 15 minutes of play on Saturday, but a 33-point second quarter from the hosting Knights lifted Kentucky Christian to a 43-16 Mid-South Conference East Division victory.
 
Bluefield drops to 1-3 on the season and 0-2 in MSC Divisional games. KCU, who had received votes in the latest NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll, takes its third consecutive win to improve to 3-1 and moves to 1-0 in divisional play.
 
The Rams opened with a strong first quarter, beginning with a 10-play scoring drive to open the game. Dylan Kidd moved the chains quickly for BC as he ran for 19 yards on the opening play. An Ashten Dixon pass to tight end Mason Maples earned the Rams another set of downs on a third-and-five play which went for nine yards. A pair of Sam Bennett rushes provided the third new set of downs, but a sack, short gain and incomplete pass to the endzone left the Rams to settle for James Gunn's 37-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.
 
Kentucky Christian looked to be on the move with their first drive as well, but a fumble was recovered by the Rams.
 
However, BC couldn't capitalize on the quick turnover as the Rams gave it right back several plays later and KCU took over at its own 28-yard line.
 
The Rams' defense forced a three-and-out for the Knights and Marion Harris quickly broke into the open field on the third play of the series, moving 48 yards for the score. Gunn tacked on the point-after and the Rams held a 10-0 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the first frame.
 
KCU used the clock deliberately in their ensuing possession, which began at their own 15-yard line. The Knights steadily moved down the field and used up the remaining time in the first quarter, then scored on the first play in the second, converting a third-and-goal situation and igniting a high-scoring quarter.
 
With a little energy provided from its offense, the Knight defense halted BC with a three-and-out, but Daniel Griffin's punt quickly sailed out of bounds and set up KCU at BC's 27-yard line for the next series.
 
Two plays later, the Knights' Jamuel Jones found the endzone on the second-straight possession, earning his squad a 14-10 lead after the PAT.
 
BC looked to respond, but a Ram fumble on the new possession's first play set the Knights up in a short field once again, this time at BC's 28-yard line.
 
Bluefield placed KCU in a tough third-and-goal situation from nine yards out, but Jones carried in his third touchdown of the quarter. The PAT was blocked.
 
A 12-play drive ensued for the Rams' offense and included third-and-seven and fourth-and-five conversions for new sets of downs. But, a sack on a third-and-eight forced the field goal attempt from Gunn, which sailed wide right from 38 yards out.
 
Two quick plays from KCU, including a 46-yard run by Jones and a 32-yard keeper from Graham Johnston, moved the Knights to the Rams' goal line. Another keeper from Johnston the Knights into the endzone. This time, the two-point conversion try was no good, making the score 26-10.
 
Bluefield regained possession with 3:51 on the clock aiming to cut into the deficit before the break, but Dixon's first toss after a new set of downs was picked off and returned 18 yards to the Rams' 49-yard line.
 
KCU took advantage of the new possession, moving 49 yards on seven plays to score once more before the half concluded. Johnston broke the plane on a fourth-and-inches and the PAT was good by Luke Eisnaugle to close the half 33-10 in favor of the Knights.
 
Bluefield recovered a KCU fumble to open the second half, but BC once again could not take advantage of the Knight turnover. Approaching the red zone, Dixon faced pressure on a third-and-11 but sent a pass into the endzone and was picked off.
 
A Knight field goal from 35 yards out made it 36-10 with 8:30 left in the third.
 
Harris broke free for his second lengthy score of the night, this one going for 49 yards late in the third quarter.
 
KCU responded with a score on the next possession, moving 75 yards in six plays and also benefitting from a pair of BC penalties.
 
Neither team added points over the final 15 minutes, leaving the final as 43-16.
 
Harris led the Rams' offense with 123 rushing yards on 11 attempts, with two scores. Bennett added 59.
 
With three quarterbacks seeing game time, the Rams were 8-for-21 throwing, but had a pair of picks. Overall, BC had four turnovers on the day.
 
David Gianesin caught four passes for 64 yards to lead the receiving corps. Four others caught one pass apiece.
 
Harry Casseus led the Rams with 11 tackles, including three for a loss of five yards. RJ Buford followed with six.
 
Gunn had a pair of touchbacks in the kickoff game. He averaged 64.3 yards on four kickoffs (257 total yards).
 
The Knights out-gained BC 469-324 in total offense, including 360 yards on the ground. KCU was led by Jones' 23 carries for 172 yards, while quarterback Johnston added 113 yards on 10 carries. The duo combined for five touchdowns.
 
Bluefield now returns to Mitchell Stadium for back-to-back weeks. The Rams host Cumberland University at 1:30 p.m. next Saturday as part of Homecoming Weekend.