GREENWOOD, S.C – The Erskine College football team (0-2) was defeated by Barton College (1-1) in their first home game of the 2021 fall season by a score of 38-25 at J.W. Babb Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Fleet led early, but a 14 to three advantage for the Bulldogs in the second quarter proved to be the difference.
 
THE BASICS
Final | Barton 38, Erskine 25
Records | Erskine 0-2, Barton 1-1
Location | Greenwood, S.C. (J.W. Babb Stadium)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• The Barton defense forced six Erskine fumbles (two lost) and intercepted Fleet QB Craig Pender twice.
• Barton outgained the Fleet on the ground 316 to 95 yards behind a massive day from Jordan Terrell (29 carries, 231 yards, 2 TD). Bulldogs QB Jaquan Lynch also had a pair of rushing touchdowns.
• Erskine outgained the Bulldogs through the air 239 to 134 as the Fleet were led by Senika McKie (10 catches, 120 yards).
• QB Craig Pender rushed for two touchdowns and threw for one, connecting with Devante Roberson late in the fourth quarter.
• The Fleet defense was led by seven tackles from Ty Simpson and Brandon Lane.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
Following a big return from Marquis Gant on the opening kickoff, the Fleet had the ball in Barton territory but were stuffed on a 4th-and-1 attempt as Erskine turned the ball over on downs on the game's first possession. The Fleet defense put an end to any momentum as they forced a three-and-out to give the ball right back to Erskine. The Fleet went on an 11-play drive that ended with a Dylan Beauford 41-yard field goal to give Erskine a 3-0 lead. Barton had a 54-yard carry on the first play of their next drive that set up a Bulldogs' field goal to tie the game. Erskine regained the lead straight away, as Pender connected with McKie four times on a 10-play drive before the Fleet QB ran it in for a 12-yard touchdown to give Erskine a 10-3 lead after the first quarter.
 
Second Quarter:
Barton's Jordan Terrell rushed for 60 yards on the Bulldogs' next drive before their QB Jaquan Lynch punched it in from two yards out to tie the game at 10 less than two minutes into the second quarter. The Fleet fumbled on the ensuing possession, but Erskine's defense held Barton at bay to give the ball back to the Fleet offense. Erskine fumbled again, and this time the Bulldogs cashed in on the turnover. Starting with the ball at Erskine's 32-yard line, Barton needed just four plays to take their first lead of the day, 17-10. Both defenses exchanged stops on the following possession, and Dylan Beauford's 22-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the quarter made it a 17-13 Barton lead at the half.
 
Third Quarter:
On just the third play from scrimmage to open the half, the Bulldogs extended their lead with a 74-yard score to make it a 24-13 game. The Fleet followed with a long drive, moving the ball into the redzone but penalties and a third-down sack forced the Fleet to punt. Bennett Caldwell pinned the Bulldogs inside their own one-yard line and Wilbur Ramos got a piece of the Barton punt moments later to set up Erskine ball already in Barton territory. A big 11-yard scamper from Pender on 3rd and three extended the Fleet drive, but Erskine faced a 3rd and goal as the third quarter came to a close.
 
Fourth Quarter:
Pender ran it in on the crucial third down play for his second score of the afternoon, and following an unsuccessful two-point attempt, the Barton lead was 24-19 just seconds into the final quarter. An incomplete pass and tackle for loss to open the Bulldogs' next drive set up 3rd and 11, but Lynch connected with Kameron Johnson for a 60-yard touchdown as Barton regained its two-possession lead, 31-19. Pender threw an interception on Erskine's drive, but Brandon Lane forced a Barton fumble on their next possession before Pender was picked off again with just 7:58 remaining in the game. Like the second quarter, turnovers on consecutive possessions proved costly for the Fleet as the Bulldogs found the endzone again and opened up a 38-19 with just over four minutes to go. The Fleet had a 13-play drive that ended with a Devante Roberson receiving touchdown, but it was nothing more than consolation as the Fleet were defeated by Barton 38-25 in their fall 2021 home opener.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Fleet's 2021 fall season continues as Erskine is back on the road next Saturday against Chowan University (2-0) at 1:00 p.m. The Hawks have overtime wins at Mars Hill and Tusculum to open their season and will take on the Fleet in their first home game.
 
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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