BLUEFIELD – In a showdown for first place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference the No. 11 NAIA Reinhardt University Eagles defeated the Bluefield University Rams 45-21, Saturday night at Mitchell Stadium. The Rams were in search of their first-ever win over the Eagles before a BU Homecoming crowd.
INSIDE THE GAME

• Bluefield forced Reinhard to punt on the game's opening possession. The Rams then drove 90 yards for the game's first score, a one yard run by James Thomas. Joey Dales kicked to point to make it 7-0 halfway through the first quarter.
• After a touchback on the ensuing kickoff. Reinhardt's first play was a 75-yard touchdown run and the PAT evened the score at 7-7.
• BU took a 14-7 lead on a 43-yard pass from Nathan Herstich to Zuriel Ebron. Dales kicked the extra point.
• Reinhardt tied the game seconds into the second quarter on a 36-yard run and took the lead on a field goal. The Eagles scored a TD with 13 seconds left in the half to lead 24-14 at the intermission.
• The Rams took the second half kick and capped the drive with a nine-yard pass from Herstich to Matthew Trevillian to make it 24-21 in favor of Reinhardt.
• Reinhardt scored twice in the third quarter and once again in the fourth for the final margin of victory.

LEADERS

• Herstich was 32-of-46 passing for 356 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
• Jewels Gray had nine catches for 113 yards.
• Trevillian caught seven passes for 75 yards and a score.
• Zuriel Ebron had two catches for 52 yards and a touchdown.
• JaQuan Ebron had five catches for 37 yards.
• Sam Kirtley had 10 tackles, including a sack.
• Logan Patron finished with 10 tackles.

NEXT IN LINE

• The Rams, now 5-3 overall and 1-1 in the AAC are idle Oct. 22.