GREENWOOD, S.C. – The Erskine College football team (1-5) lost 45-21 against Fort Valley State University (2-0) at J.W. Babb Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
 
THE BASICS
Final | Fort Valley State 45, Erskine 21
Records | Erskine 1-5, Fort Valley State 2-0
Location | Greenwood, S.C. (J.W. Babb Stadium)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Craig Pender was 24-for-37 with 260 yards and two touchdown as Erskine outgained the Wildcats through the air, 260 to 204.
• The Fleet managed just 31 rushing yards while Fort Valley State totaled 299 yards on the ground and averaged 5.9 yards per carry
• Senika McKie finished with a game-high 13 catches and a team-high 131 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Devante Roberson caught a touchdown for the second consecutive week.
• Brandon Lane (12) and Jarvis McClurkin (11) led the Fleet in tackles, while Tyler Hayes finished with two sacks.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Fort Valley State opened the scoring on their first possession as a 45-yard field goal capped a 13-play drive and gave the Wildcats a 3-0 lead. A long touchdown minutes later gave the visitors a 10-0 lead after the opening quarter.
 
Second Quarter:
Less than five minutes in to the second quarter, Fort Valley State made it three possessions, three scores when the Wildcats scored from 13 yards out and took a 17-0 lead. But, Erskine followed with their best drive of the first half. Craig Pender found Kevon Catoe for a first down to get the chains moving. Pender then had an 18-yard run for another first down before a defensive pass interference set up first-and-goal for the Fleet. Despite three straight completions, Erskine could not punch it in and were forced to go for a 4th and goal from the two-yard line. Pender connected with Senika McKie and Erskine got on the board, trailing 17-7 at the half.
 
Third Quarter:
However, the flood gates opened for the Wildcats to begin the second half, as they scored three touchdowns within the first five minutes of the third quarter and held a commanding 38-7 lead. But, Erskine responded on a seven-play drive finished by a Devante Roberson 41-yard receiving touchdown. Both defenses held their own for the remainder of the quarter, sending the game to the fourth game with Fort Valley State leading 38-14.
 
Fourth Quarter:
After a couple of punts and a Pender interception, the Wildcats added to their lead with another touchdown, making it a 45-14 game. But, Erskine's freshman QB responded by completing four of five passes on the ensuing drives before running in a touchdown from one yard out on the Fleet's final drive of the game as Fort Valley State came out with a 45-21 road win.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet conclude their 2021 spring season back at home next Saturday against Limestone University (1-3, 1-2 SAC) at 12:00 p.m.
 
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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