BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – In a game defined by momentum swings, clutch plays, and a dramatic final drive, the Bluefield University football team sent its seniors out in unforgettable fashion, defeating Union Commonwealth 33-28 Saturday evening at Mitchell Stadium.
The Rams controlled the opening quarter behind one of their most sustained drives of the year. After recovering a fumble at their own two-yard line, Bluefield marched 98 yards on 19 plays, converting three third downs and a fourth down along the way. The methodical series ended when Ethan Cash found Marlin Haywood on a one-yard touchdown to put BU on top 6-0 with just over a minute left in the first.
Union answered early in the second quarter with a goal-line touchdown to go ahead 7-6, but the Rams responded immediately. Cash delivered a balanced 11-play, 53-yard drive, capped by a nine-yard touchdown strike to Christian Mack to regain the lead. Bluefield's defense then forced a three-and-out, setting up another scoring opportunity. The Rams capitalized with a seven-play, 45-yard march highlighted by a key fourth-down completion to Jamonta Chavis. Freshman running back Marquavion Ross finished the possession with a four-yard touchdown to give BU a 20-7 advantage heading into halftime.
Union regrouped with an 80-yard touchdown drive midway through the third quarter, but Bluefield continued to control possession and the line of scrimmage. Early in the fourth quarter, the Rams put together their second 13-play scoring drive of the night, grinding out 65 yards behind tough running from Ross and Kyree Edwards. Edwards capped the series with a one-yard rushing touchdown to extend the lead to 27-14.
The visiting Bulldogs refused to back down, cutting the margin to 27-20 on a 23-yard touchdown pass before completing an 11-play, 56-yard drive with just over two minutes remaining to take a 28-27 lead.
With the game — and season — on the line, Bluefield's offense delivered its best two-minute drive of the year. Cash connected with Kyree Edwards on a 16-yard gain to jumpstart the march, then scrambled for another first down. Facing 4th-and-7 at the Union 49, Cash hit Shoka Griffin on a clutch 18-yard completion to keep the Rams alive. Two plays later, Haywood hauled in a 19-yard catch to move BU into the red zone. Edwards finished the drive with his second one-yard touchdown of the night, giving Bluefield a 33-28 lead with 25 seconds left.
On the ensuing possession, freshman defensive back Tarell Sablon sealed the victory with his fourth interception of the season.
Cash completed 18-of-27 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 41 yards. Edwards totaled 88 yards from scrimmage and two scores, while Ross added 58 rushing yards and a touchdown. Haywood led the receivers with 59 yards and a touchdown on five catches, and Chavis added 39 yards.
Defensively, Charles Howard posted nine tackles and a forced fumble, while Titus Holte collected eight stops and two pass breakups. Jack Everix recovered a first-quarter fumble, and Sablon's interception secured the Senior Day win.
Bluefield closes the 2025 campaign at 4-6 overall and 3-4 in AAC play.
