Bluefield, WV – Bluefield University faced a challenging setback in their latest game, falling 31-9 to The University of the Cumberlands. The matchup at Mitchell Stadium was marked by The University of the Cumberlands' offensive strength and Bluefield's difficulties in maintaining momentum.
Game Highlights and Key Plays
Bluefield began the game on a positive note with
Rayjuan Traynham's 1-yard touchdown run at 1:18 of the first quarter, giving the Rams an early 6-0 lead. Despite the promising start, a missed extra point would prove costly. Bluefield extended their lead to 9-0 in the second quarter with a 31-yard field goal by
Riley Stubbs. However, The University of the Cumberlands responded effectively before halftime. With 2 minutes left in the second quarter, the Patriots scored their first touchdown and converted the extra point to narrow the deficit to 9-7.
To start the third quarter, Bluefield seemed to gain some momentum. However, a special teams error allowed The University of the Cumberlands to recover the ball at Bluefield's 4-yard line, shifting the momentum in favor of the Patriots. A critical moment followed when a play initially thought to be an interception was ruled an incomplete pass, granting The University of the Cumberlands another opportunity to score. The Patriots capitalized on this chance, leading to a touchdown and extending their lead to 14-9.
In the second half, The University of the Cumberlands began to pull away decisively. Trent Davis and JB Carlisle led crucial drives, while Job Matossain's precise extra points added to their growing advantage. Despite Bluefield's best efforts, the Patriots' offensive surge culminated in a final score of 31-9. The Rams did manage a promising late-game play with a 20-yard completion from
Nathan Herstich to
Gage Chambers, but the clock ran out before Bluefield could fully capitalize on this newfound momentum and add more points to the board.
Key Statistics and Player Performances
Offensive Highlights
Special Teams and Defensive Highlights
Looking Ahead
Head Coach Dewy Lusk reflected on the game, stating, "Tough loss to a good football team. We played right with them for three quarters. We have a good team as well and must learn to finish in the 4th quarter and eliminate the costly mistakes. We learned a lot today and this will only prepare us not only for Lindsey Wilson next week but the rest of our season."
Bluefield's next contest is set for September 14th at 2 p.m. against Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, Kentucky. The Rams will be looking to improve on their performance and secure their first win against the Blue Raiders in their sixth encounter. With a focus on addressing the challenges from this game, Bluefield seeks to recover and demonstrate their capability in the upcoming match up.
