BLUEFIELD - The Bluefield College Rams football season kicked off Thursday evening at Mitchell Stadium, as the Rams took on the University of Pikeville and dropped a 24-20 decision in a game which came down to the final play.

Both teams showed signs of rust early on, each turning the ball over on their first drives. After the teams exchanged touchdowns, the Bears would take the lead on a second quarter field goal.

The Rams defense looked to be in mid-season form, coming up with multiple impressive stops at the goal line to close out the first half. 

BC held the lead for most of the second half, courtesy of rushing touchdowns from both Kenavus Jones and Alex Martin. The UPike Bears did not go away however, battling back with two unanswered touchdowns of their own.

Bluefield was forced to run a two-minute drill, down 24-20 in the 4^th quarter. Martin led the Rams down field with some determined carries, bringing Thursday night's nail biter down to one last play.

Bluefield quarterback Ashten Dixon fell just short of a game winning rush, as he was tripped up by an opposing lineman at the two-yard line. A blocked extra point early in the fourth quarter came back to bite the Rams. They were forced to go for the touchdown instead of tying the game with a short field goal.

Dixon went 7 for 13 for 88 yards. Martin ran for 127 yards on 16 carries. Martin, Jones, and Malik Brown each ran for TDs.

The Rams strong defense was led by Juwan Funderburk who had nine tackles, Tracey Parker Jr. with eight tackles and Gabe Spencer who had five.

The Rams are back in action Thursday, September 1, as they head to Campbell University in Buies Creek, N.C.