BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – Behind a 154-yard rushing performance and two touchdowns from junior running back Kyree Edwards, the Bluefield University football team battled Reinhardt University but fell 35-14 Saturday afternoon in its Homecoming matchup at Mitchell Stadium.
The Rams dropped to 3-4 overall and 1-1 in Appalachian Athletic Conference play, while Reinhardt improved to 4-4 overall and 3-0 in conference action.
Reinhardt opened the scoring midway through the first quarter, taking advantage of favorable field position to put together a three-play, 30-yard touchdown drive. The Eagles found the end zone on a 21-yard run with 8:42 remaining in the opening quarter to take a 7-0 lead.
The Eagles extended their advantage later in the quarter, marching 66 yards on seven plays and scoring on a 31-yard rushing touchdown with 3:14 remaining. After stopping Bluefield on fourth down on the ensuing possession, Reinhardt added another touchdown on a 24-yard run to take a 21-0 lead into the second quarter.
Bluefield's defense provided an early opportunity in the second quarter when sophomore linebacker Chase Harris forced a fumble that junior linebacker Payton Spratt recovered near midfield. The Rams moved the ball into Reinhardt territory behind a 21-yard run from Edwards and a pass interference penalty that advanced the ball to the Eagles' 14-yard line.
However, Bluefield was unable to capitalize, turning the ball over on downs at the Reinhardt seven-yard line.
Reinhardt responded with a six-play, 93-yard touchdown drive, extending its lead to 28-0 with 5:48 remaining in the first half.
The Rams answered on their next possession, putting together their first scoring drive of the afternoon. Edwards opened the possession with a 33-yard run that moved the ball to the Reinhardt 42-yard line. Senior running back Rayjuan Traynham followed with an 11-yard gain before breaking free for another 22 yards to move the Rams inside the Eagles' 10-yard line.
Edwards finished the six-play, 75-yard drive with a six-yard touchdown run at the 2:32 mark. The extra-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Bluefield trailing 28-6.
The Rams' defense came up with another takeaway just before halftime when junior linebacker Andre Plummer forced and recovered a fumble at the Bluefield 22-yard line, returning it six yards. Bluefield entered the break trailing by 22 points.
Bluefield opened the second half with an eight-play, 34-yard drive that featured runs of seven and 15 yards from Edwards. The Rams advanced to the Reinhardt 41-yard line but were stopped on fourth-and-two.
Reinhardt capitalized on the possession change, scoring on a 51-yard touchdown pass with 10:13 remaining in the third quarter to extend its lead to 35-6.
The Rams' defense continued to create opportunities throughout the second half. Harris recovered another Reinhardt fumble at the Eagles' 25-yard line midway through the third quarter, giving Bluefield excellent field position. However, the Rams were unable to convert the takeaway into points, turning the ball over on downs at the Reinhardt 20-yard line.
Another fumble recovery, this time by junior defensive back Jharez Williams, gave Bluefield possession at the Reinhardt 25-yard line early in the fourth quarter. Redshirt freshman quarterback Zack Paulk connected with senior wide receiver Jamonta Chavis for a nine-yard completion to move the ball inside the Eagles' 15-yard line, but the drive ended on another fourth-down incompletion.
Bluefield finally broke through again late in the fourth quarter, putting together a nine-play, 62-yard touchdown drive. Edwards carried the ball for gains of nine and 12 yards before Paulk found him for a 25-yard completion that moved the Rams to the Reinhardt two-yard line.
Edwards then carried the ball on consecutive plays, scoring from one yard out with 5:23 remaining. Paulk connected with freshman wide receiver Kobe Johnson on the two-point conversion to bring the score to 35-14.
The Rams attempted an onside kick following the touchdown, but Reinhardt recovered and maintained possession for the remainder of the contest.
Edwards led the Bluefield offense with a season-high 154 rushing yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns, averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. He also led the Rams in receiving yards with two catches for 33 yards, finishing with 187 total yards from scrimmage.
Traynham added 35 rushing yards on five attempts, including a 22-yard run. As a team, Bluefield totaled 210 rushing yards and 272 yards of offense.
Through the air, Paulk completed five of 15 passes for 56 yards, while redshirt freshman quarterback Teddy Watson finished with six passing yards. Johnson recorded a 14-yard reception, while Chavis added two catches for 11 yards.
Defensively, junior linebacker Elijah Padgett led the Rams with nine tackles, followed by junior defensive back Titus Holte with eight and freshman linebacker Zyrohn Canady with seven. Senior defensive back Koda Counts and freshman defeneive back Ezekiel Taylor each recorded six tackles, while sophomore linebacker Ethan Walker, Plummer and freshman defensive lineman Robert George finished with five apiece.
Bluefield's defense forced four fumbles and recovered all four, with Plummer recording a forced fumble and recovery, Harris forcing one fumble and recovering another, and Spratt and Williams also contributing recoveries.
The Rams finished with 16 first downs and controlled possession for 30:12, while Reinhardt totaled 421 yards of offense, including 279 on the ground.
Bluefield returns to action Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Rams travel to face Pikeville in Appalachian Athletic Conference action. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
