GREENWOOD, S.C – The Erskine College football team (2-5) overcame a nine-point deficit to defeat Bluefield State College (4-2) by a score of 24-19 as QB Lance Brownlee came off the bench and had a pair of rushing touchdowns, including a game-winning 24-yard score in the final seconds at J.W. Babb Stadium on Saturday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Final | Erskine 24, Bluefield State 19
Records | Bluefield State 4-2, Erskine 2-5
Location | Greenwood, S.C. (J.W. Babb Stadium)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Fleet outgained the Big Blue on the ground 183 to 176 yards, led by a team-high 98 yards by Kevon Catoe and two touchdowns from Lance Brownlee.
• Bluefield State QB J'Rell Joseph went 27-for-42 for 212 yards and a touchdown.
• Erskine WR Senika McKie had a game-high in receptions (10) and receiving yards (110), along with a second-quarter touchdown.
• The Fleet's defense was led by Elijah Horton (11 tackles) and Joshua Kamoto (10 tackles).

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Bluefield State recovered a surprise onside kick to start the game, after winning the coin toss and deferring to the second half. With some early momentum, the Big Blue picked up a first down but the drive stalled and the Erskine defense forced a punt. Both defenses forced three-and-outs after the Bluefield State punt, but the Erskine offense took back over about halfway through the opening quarter. Following just a 15-yard punt, the Fleet had prime field position and Dylan Beauford's 27-yard field goal gave Erskine an early 3-0 lead. The Bluefield State offense moved the ball on their next possession, but the Fleet forced a turnover on downs. 

Second Quarter:
On a 12-play drive that began in the final minutes of the first quarter, the Fleet added to their lead as Bryce Jeffcoat connected with Senika McKie for a five-yard touchdown to make a 10-0 game. The Big Blue, though, answered right back with a drive that started with four straight first-down completions before a 14-yard rushing touchdown trimmed the Erskine lead to 10-6 following a blocked extra point by Jaavan Mack. The defenses took over after that, with both teams exchanging short drives, meaning the Fleet went into the halftime break holding a narrow 10-6 lead.
 
Third Quarter:
Bluefield State received the second-half kickoff and marched down the field on a 13-play, 74-yard scoring drive to take their first lead of the afternoon at 13-10 with just over eight minutes remaining in the third quarter. Following a decent start to the game, the Erskine offense sputtered in the middle stages, due to penalties and three turnovers, as Erskine did not pick up a first down in the quarter. But, the Fleet defense had a couple of goal line stands as they stood firm and kept the Big Blue lead at just 10-6 heading into the fourth and final quarter.
 
Fourth Quarter:
Bluefield State had a drive that began in the final seconds of the third quarter, as they started on 10-play drive that finished with a two-yard passing touchdown. But, a missed extra point made it a 19-10 game with 9:47 remaining. Lance Brownlee took over at quarterback for the Fleet and promptly marched the Erskine offense down the field, with a 28-yard catch and run from Senika McKie putting the Fleet into the redzone. Three plays later, Brownlee ran it in from four yards out to trim the Fleet deficit to 19-17. The Big Blue offense did not bat an eye, though, as they answered with a long drive that included four consecutive plays of 10 or more yards to set up first-and-goal on the Erskine seven-yard line. But, once again, the Fleet defense stood tall on four straight plays to force a turnover on downs and give the Erskine offense a chance to go the length of the field with just 1:41 left in the game, trailing 19-17. Kevon Catoe rattled off a 15-yard run to get the drive started, and a huge 15-yard run from Brownlee on fourth down moved the ball into Big Blue territory with less than a minute remaining. Brownlee found McKie and Bellamy, respectively, on consecutive plays before an 11-yard run from the Erskine QB put the ball on the 24-yard line with just 24 seconds remaining. Following an injury timeout, Brownlee dropped back to pass, and as the pocket quickly collapsed on him, the senior took off down the left hash with green grass in front of him. A Bluefield State defender met Brownlee around the three-yard line, but Brownlee bounced off him and willed his way into the endzone to give the Fleet a 24-19 lead with just 14 seconds remaining. The Big Blue had a long return on the ensuing kickoff, which set up a hail mary attempt, but Wayne Gibson sacked the opposing QB to put the finishing touches a fourth-quarter rally as Erskine escaped with a 24-19 win over Bluefield State.

WHAT'S NEXT?
In the middle of a three game home stretch, Erskine will take on Allen University (3-3) next Saturday, October 23 at 4:00 p.m. at J.W. Babb Stadium. The Fleet will try to make it three straight home wins on the season.
 
Follow the Flying Fleet all season long to get schedule updates, scores, highlights, photo galleries, game notes and more at www.erskinesports.com.
 
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