BLUEFIELD, W.Va. – The Bluefield University football team battled throughout the afternoon but ultimately fell to the University of the Cumberlands, 50-27, Saturday afternoon at Mitchell Stadium.
The Rams (0-2) got on the board first, marching 65 yards on their opening possession. Junior running back Kyree Edwards provided the spark with a pair of first-down runs before redshirt freshman quarterback Zack Paulk connected with junior wide receiver Semaj Jeffreys for a 33-yard completion to set up the Rams inside the five-yard line. Edwards finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run, although the ensuing extra point attempt was unsuccessful, giving BU an early 6-0 advantage with 11:39 remaining in the opening quarter.
Cumberlands (2-0) answered quickly, breaking off a 50-yard touchdown run just 1:25 later to put the Patriots in front, 7-6.
The Patriots extended their advantage late in the opening quarter to grow their lead, 13-6.
Bluefield responded with its longest scoring drive of the afternoon. The Rams marched 75 yards on 13 plays and kept the drive alive with a pair of completions from Paulk to junior wide receiver Cassius Harris before Paulk found senior wide receiver Jordan Edwards for a 17-yard touchdown with 13:53 remaining in the second quarter. Freshman kicker Nelson Morales' extra point tied the game at 13-13.
Cumberlands regained the lead on a 45-yard field goal before adding another 47-yard field goal to take a 19-13 advantage with 7:24 remaining in the half.
The Rams answered with another explosive scoring play. After Edwards broke off a 20-yard run to midfield, Paulk connected with Edwards for a 55-yard touchdown pass to give Bluefield a 20-19 lead.
However, the Patriots responded with a late touchdown drive, paired with a 40-yard field goal as time expired to hold a 29-20 advantage into halftime.
Cumberlands added to its advantage early in the third quarter on a 50-yard touchdown with 10:23 remaining in the period.
The Patriots struck again less than four minutes later, swelling its lead to 43-20.
BU's offense continued to fight into the fourth quarter, putting together an 11-play, 48-yard scoring drive that consumed more than four minutes. After Watson rushed for 19 yards to move the Rams inside the red zone, Bluefield converted a series of short-yardage plays before senior running back Rayjuan Traynham punched it in from one yard out to cut the deficit to 43-27.
Cumberlands answered with another long scoring drive to make it a 50-27 game.
The Rams continued to battle on their final possessions, but the Patriots' defense held Bluefield off the scoreboard as Cumberlands secured the 50-27 victory.
Bluefield finished the afternoon with 357 yards of total offense, including 213 passing yards and 144 rushing yards. Edwards led the Rams on the ground with 134 yards and one touchdown on 29 carries, while Paulk added 213 passing yards and two touchdowns. Edwards paced the receiving corps with five catches for a career-best 120 yards and two touchdowns, while Harris added three receptions for 48 yards.
Defensively, junior linebacker Elijah Padgett, sophomore defensive back Tyrek Turner and freshman defensive back Sammy Parker each recorded six tackles to lead the Rams. Junior linebacker Payton Spratt added five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble, while freshman linebacker Jamari Williams recorded five tackles. Bluefield finished with five tackles for loss and forced one fumble on the afternoon.
Bluefield returns to action next Saturday, traveling to Barton for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
