WEST POINT, Ga. – The Bluefield University football team battled back with a strong fourth-quarter showing but came up short in a 27-14 loss to Point University on Saturday afternoon in Appalachian Athletic Conference play.
The Rams offense moved the ball efficiently throughout the contest, finishing with 431 total yards and 25 first downs, but struggled to capitalize early. BU's first two scoring opportunities in the opening quarter ended with blocked field goal attempts, as Point carried a 13-0 lead into halftime.
Point extended its advantage midway through the third quarter on a 12-yard touchdown pass, pushing the score to 20-0. Bluefield found its rhythm in the fourth, stringing together an 80-yard drive capped by a 10-yard touchdown connection between quarterback Ethan Cash and Marlin Haywood, trimming the deficit to 20-7.
The Skyhawks quickly answered with a 61-yard scoring strike to make it 27-7, but the Rams refused to quit. Cash engineered one of the Rams' best drives of the day late in the game—a 14-play, 93-yard march that culminated in a three-yard touchdown pass to Christian Mack with 1:00 remaining. BU attempted an onside kick but was unable to recover, as Point ran out the clock to seal the win.
Cash led the offensive effort, completing 29 of 46 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns while adding 60 rushing yards. Marlin Haywood recorded a game-high 106 receiving yards on seven catches and a score, while Christian Mack added seven receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown. Jamonta Chavis also chipped in nine receptions for 88 yards.
Defensively, Ethan Walker had a standout performance, registering seven total tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Charles Howard and Titus Holte each added seven stops, while Jack Everix tallied a sack and two tackles for loss. Bluefield's defense limited Point to just one third-down conversion in nine attempts and forced a key first-half fumble that set up a scoring chance.
With the loss, BU moves to 1-5 overall and 0-1 in AAC play.
The Rams return to action Saturday, Oct. 18, when they travel to Reinhardt University for a 12:00 p.m. kickoff.
