COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Erskine College football team (0-1) was defeated by Allen University (1-0) by a score of 24-17 in the Flying Fleet's 2023 season opener at the Westwood High Stadium on Saturday evening.
 
THE BASICS
Final | Allen 24, Erskine 17
Records | Erskine 0-1 (0-0 SAC), Allen 1-0 (0-0 SIAC)
Location | Columbia, S.C. (Westwood High Stadium)
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE

• Craig Pender led the Fleet with 160 yards through the air, but Allen totaled 370 passing yards in the game.
• Jalen Samuels totaled 62 yards on the ground, averaging over 5 yards per carry as the Fleet outgained the Yellow Jackets on the ground, 105 to 65.
• Jamaar Moore had a team-high 100 receiving yards on a game-high 7 receptions as he was Pender's favorite target all night.
• Caleb Gleason led the Fleet defense with 6 tackles, while Miller Shouse totaled 1.5 tackles for loss, and Elijah Horton added a fumble recovery.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter:
The Erskine defense forced a three-and-out on the opening possession of the game as both defenses began their 2023 season in impressive fashion. However, Allen eventually broke through with a long scoring drive to open the scoring. Erskine was forced to punt on its next possession, but an Allen fumble on the punt return gave the Fleet offense a second chance and a short field. Despite facing 3rd and 13 just a few moments later, the Fleet cashed in on the turnover as Craig Pender connected with Marquell Brown for a 38-yard score to tie the game.

Second Quarter:
In the early stages of the second quarter, it was Allen's turn to convert on 3rd-and-long, as they marched inside the Fleet's 10-yard line. But, the Erskine defense stood tall and held the Yellow Jackets to a field goal. Both teams had extended drives later in the half, but an Erskine turnover and an Allen missed field goal sent the game to the half with the Fleet trailing just 10-7.

Third Quarter:
Both teams exchanged punts to start the second half, but on Erskine's second drive, Pender connected with Moore to convert a 3rd and 8 and found him again a few plays later for a huge 26-yard gain to push the ball into Allen territory. The drive stalled out, but Dylan Beauford nailed a 45-yard field goal to tie the game. Allen, though, found the endzone on its next drive to regain the lead.

Fourth Quarter:
The Yellow Jackets doubled their lead less than two minutes into the final frame to make it a 24-10 game. Erskine went on a 12-play, 96-yard drive capped by a touchdown from Rashad Luckey to make it a one-score game again, but with just 59 seconds remaining. The Fleet were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick as they fell on the road to begin the season.

WHAT'S NEXT?
Erskine continues its three-game road trip to open the year at Shorter University (0-1) next Saturday at 12 p.m. This will be the third ever meeting between the teams, including when the Hawks came to Greenwood for Erskine's first home football game in seventy years back in the spring of 2021.
 
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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