GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Erskine College football team (1-2) lost its home opener of the 2021 season against Shorter University (1-1) by a score of 24-13 in the Flying Fleet's first home football game in seventy years on Saturday at J.W. Babb Stadium.
 
THE BASICS
Final | Shorter 24, Erskine 13
Records | Erskine 1-2, Shorter 1-1
Location | Greenwood, S.C. (J.W. Babb Stadium)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Erskine QB Craig Pender was 33-56 for a career-high 375 yards as the Fleet outgained the Hawks through the air, 397 yards to 133.
• Fleet WR Kevon Catoe threw Erskine's only touchdown of the game, as Catoe found Rashad Luckey from 22 yards out on a trick play. Catoe also had five catches for 64 yards.
• Fellow freshman WR Senika McKie had career-highs in receptions (14) and receiving yards (217) to lead the way for the Fleet.
• Shorter ran for 274 yards in the game, led by Jaiden Dollard (17 carries, 182 yards, 2 TD), who's 45-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter sealed the Hawks' victory.
• Erskine LB Brandon Lane tallied a game-high 11 tackles including a sack.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Erskine's defense started the game with a three-and-out, but the ensuing punt was muffed by the Fleet as the Hawks regained possession in Erskine territory. Shorter capitalized on the miscue, scoring a touchdown five plays later to take an early 7-0 lead. The Fleet's offense took over for the first time and drove down the field, as a Dearius Hazel three-yard run set up first and goal on the two-yard line. But, the Hawks delivered a goal-line stand and Erskine settled for a Bennett Caldwell 21-yard field goal to make it a 7-3 game. The Fleet's defense earned another three-and-out on the following Shorter possession, and a Senika McKie 33-yard reception set up another first and goal for Erskine. But again the Hawks' defense stood tall as the Fleet were forced to kick another field goal; this one from 35 yards out as the Fleet trimmed the deficit to 7-6. Shorter answered with a field goal of their own on the next possession and had a 10-6 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter:
On the Hawks first drive of the second quarter, they marched down the field and had first and goal from the Erskine three yard line. This time, it was the Fleet's turn to have a goal-line stand as Jamal Barron broke up a third down pass attempt to set up a Shorter field goal, which was blocked by Jaelan Harfield to keep the score at 10-6. Erskine got a stop on fourth down on their next defensive possession and the Fleet offense appeared to be driving just before the half, but were stalled at midfield as a scoreless second quarter meant the visiting Hawks took a 10-6 lead into the halftime break.
 
Third Quarter:
Erskine was forced to punt on their first drive of the second half, but Khalif Poag recovered the muffed punt and the Fleet offense got a second chance. The Fleet got a first down, but three straight incompletions, the last on a fourth down and eight, ended the drive. And, Shorter added to their lead with a 77-yard scoring drive, capped by a 29-yard rushing touchdown as the Hawks extended to their lead to 17-6 halfway through the third quarter. Both defenses exchanged stops on the ensuing possessions, and Erskine took back over on their own 20-yard line. Craig Pender found McKie and Catoe for first-down receptions and Rashad Luckey had a crucial three-yard run on fourth down to keep the drive alive. Then, on third down and 10, the Erskine offense used some trickery to finally find paydirt. Pender took the snap, and handed off to Catoe coming in from the left slot. Catoe appeared to be running a reverse, but then dropped back to pass and found Luckey for an 11-yard touchdown as the Fleet answered back and cut the Hawks lead to 17-13 after three quarters.
 
Fourth Quarter:
The Fleet defense got another three-and-out on the first possession of the final quarter, and the Erskine offense picked up a few first downs, but Pender was sacked on a fourth down play inside the Shorter 30-yard line as Erskine turned it over on downs. Shorter drove the ball into Fleet territory on the following possession, but the Erskine defense held strong and forced a punt as the Fleet took back over with just 7:30 remaining and trailing by four points. The Fleet were pinned inside their own five-yard line to begin the drive, but Pender found Catoe on three separate occassions as Erskine drove into Hawks territory, but faced a fourth down and five. Pender tried to connect with McKie, but was unable to do so, as Erskine turned it over on downs again. With just 3:38 to go in the game, the Fleet defense was forced to take risks, and Shorter made them pay as a 45-yard rushing touchdown on third down sealed a 24-13 victory for the Hawks.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet continue their 2021 season next week against North Greenville University next Saturday at 1:00 p.m. in Tigerville, S.C.
 
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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