Courtesy of Presbyterian Athletics
CLINTON, S.C. – Three first-half turnovers were too much
for the Presbyterian College football team to overcome
Saturday afternoon in a 34-17 loss to North Greenville in
the home opener for the Blue Hose.
PC now stands at 0-4 on the year while the Crusaders
improve to 2-3.
“We gave North Greenville opportunities and they
capitalized,†head coach Harold Nichols said. “We had some
three and outs in the third quarter and had three
turnovers in the first half.â€
Patrick McKoy led the receiving corps with five receptions
for a team-best 58 yards. One of his catches went for his
first touchdown of the season. Tyler Robbins had four
catches for 44 yards. Senior Jeremy Cole hauled in two
throws for 32 yards, one of which was a touchdown.
Redshirt-senior Trandon Dendy led the rushing attack with
73 yards on 14 carries. Lance Byrd chipped in 42 yards on
11 attempts.
Brandon Miley completed 17-22 for 183 yards and had two
touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions.
Defensively, CeeJay Harris posted a team-high eight
tackles, six of which were solo. Rookie Keyadd Miller
posted six stops while fellow first-year student-athlete
notched five.
Down 7-0 in the first quarter, Dendy got things going with
a six-yard gainer to the NGU 35 after the Blue Hose
recovered an on-side kick. Miley then hit McKoy for a
10-yard completion before connecting with Robbins for
eight, putting PC in the red zone.
After a roughing the passer penalty on the Crusaders,
Nichols’ team had a first down on the eight. Facing a
second-and-goal from the 12, Miley hooked up with McKoy
for the touchdown strike.
NGU went back on top 14-7 thanks in part to an 82-yard
touchdown pass just after the start of the second quarter.
Two possessions later, PC answered with a Cam Miller field
goal, cutting the deficit to four, 14-10.
On that drive, Dendy carried the load. The Blue Hose
started the drive on the 41 after forcing just a 30-yard
punt from the 11. Dendy started with a nine-yard scamper.
He helped get the ball to the 17. Then, Miley hit Dendy on
third-11 for an eight-yard gain. After a time-out, Miller
connected from 26 yards out for the 14-10 halftime score.
The Crusaders came out in the third quarter and drove 59
yards on 11 plays, eventually scoring the touchdown on a
five-yard pass with 8:03 to go. PC went three-and-out,
giving the ball back to NGU. The Crusaders then drove six
plays for a touchdown on a three-yard run, making the
score 27-10.
In the fourth quarter, Nichols’ team got going. Lance Byrd
started a drive on a 15-yard rush from the 49-yard line.
On third-and-five, Miley hit McKoy for 11, putting the
ball at the 20.
After a first-and-goal from the two, penalties made it
third-and-goal from the seven. After a time-out, Miley
connected for the touchdown with Jeremy Cole. A score by
NGU put the game out of reach with just minutes to play.
“We will go back to work tomorrow and prepare for the
Keydets of VMI.â€
The Blue Hose return to action next Saturday at VMI. The
contest is slated for 1:30 p.m.