WALESKA, Ga. – The Bluefield University football team put together a resilient effort but came up short in a 35-12 loss to Reinhardt University on Saturday afternoon in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.

Reinhardt jumped out to an early lead, scoring three touchdowns in the opening quarter to go ahead 21-0. The Eagles added a 53-yard touchdown pass early in the second to extend the margin before Bluefield answered midway through the period. The Rams marched 70 yards on six plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run from Kyree Edwards to make it 28-6 at the half.

BU's defense held strong in the third quarter, forcing two Reinhardt turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Anthony Jefferson and two interceptions by Tarell Sablon — the first two of his collegiate career. Offensively, the Rams pieced together a 61-yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter as quarterback Ethan Cash scrambled 10 yards for a touchdown to bring the score to 28-12.

Reinhardt added a late touchdown in the final minute to close out the scoring.

Cash finished 15-of-27 passing for 219 yards and added 12 rushing yards and a touchdown. Marlin Haywood led all receivers with 130 yards on five catches, while Christian Mack added five receptions for 43 yards. Edwards paced the rushing attack with 36 yards and a score, while Shoka Griffin II and Abdul Kaloko each chipped in solid carries.

Defensively, Sablon led the Rams with nine tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble. Charles CJ Howard and Jack Everix each tallied eight stops, with Everix adding two tackles for loss. Chase Harris and Eric Boyd contributed seven tackles apiece as Bluefield's defense limited Reinhardt to just four third-down conversions on 13 attempts.

With the loss, BU falls to 1-6 overall and 0-2 in AAC play.

The Rams return home October 25 to host Pikeville at Mitchell Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.