Box Score BLUEFIELD - Bluefield State fought Lawrence Tech down to the wire, but came out on the short end of a 21-14 victory by the Eagles.
The Big Blue returned to the gridiron for the first time in 41 years. And it showed when a first possession fumble led to a 31-yard recovery and touchdown less than two minutes into the game.
A turnover like that could have been enough to crush a young, inexperienced team filled with freshmen.
Instead, the Big Blue came right back with a spectacular 39-yard touchdown pass from quarterback J'Rell Joseph to wide receiver Kentavious Jefferson. Carson Crossman converted the extra point for the tie.
With only four minutes gone, the Mitchell Stadium crowd got loud, anticipating a wide open, high scoring game.
Instead, defenses dominated the rest of the half and the teams went into their locker rooms tied at 7-7.
Early in the third quarter another Joseph to Jefferson pass resulted in a 13-yard touchdown and the crowd got rocking again.
Lawrence Tech came back to tie it late in the quarter on a 6-yard pass from Tyler Kulka to CJ Thompson.
Then, with 11:26 left in the game, Kulka connected with Matthew Ransome on a 15-yard pass to take the lead.
Bluefield State fought back, keeping Lawrence Tech from converting on a fourth down at the Big Blue's 30-yard line. With a little more than two minutes left in the game, the Big Blue drove quickly to the Eagles' 30. They faced a first-and-ten with 1:50 left on the clock, but could no further.
Four plays later they turned it over to the Eagles on downs.
It was a tough loss for the Big Blue because they showed they could compete against an experienced opponent.
Turnover and penalties hurt both teams.
The Big Blue intercepted Kulka twice. They also fumbled the ball away to the Eagles twice.
The Big Blue were penalized 6 times for 44 yards.
The Eagles were penalized a whopping 18 times for 210 yards.
The Big Blue had 222 net yards offense. The Eagles had 313.
Time of possession for the Eagles: 33:40 Big Blue 26:20.
J'Rell Joseph was the offensive star for the Big Blue. He completed 17 of 34 passes for 159 yards. He was also the team's leading rusher with 80 yards on eight carries.
Kentavious Jefferson was the leading receiver with six catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns.
Lineman Kenya Walker was a leading defender with five solo tackles and two assists.
Defensive back Jamrarious McClellan was equally active with four solos and four assists.
Defensive back Kiyon Delts and defensive end Diego Bledsoe chipped in with three solos/five assists and four solos/two assists respectively.
It was a beautiful day for football at revered Mitchell Stadium. The parking lot was full with alumni, Big Blue Boosters and others celebrating the return of a sport with a proud tradition at Bluefield State. People crowded around for pictures with Sir Blue, the school's pedigree Blue Great Dane mascot.
At halftime, Ellis Ray Williams, Sr., Class of 1947, was honored for a lifetime of achievement on the football field, the battlefield, in the classroom and in the community. The Ellis Ray Williams, Sr. Athletic Center was announced ahead of his upcoming 100th birthday.
Former football players were asked to stand and be recognized.
The Bluefield Beavers marching band also performed.
All in all, except for the final score, it was a day that will be remembered by many.
Football is back at Bluefield State.
