Bluefield, WV – Bluefield State University Football took down Central State University 27-23 on Saturday.
After the loss in the previous week, the Big Blue came into this game with a winner's mentality. With Bluefield State's defense taking the field, it quickly became evident that this was going to be a defensive game. With time dwindling in the first quarter and both team scoreless, BSU blocked the punt and it was scooped and scored by Reggie Redman, putting the Big Blue up 6-0. Braxton VanScoy followed the touchdown with the extra point to take the Big Blue into the second quarter with the 7-0 advantage.
The Marauders opened the second with possession and completed the drive to even the score 7-7. Over 11 minutes would pass before either team would reach the endzone again. With six minutes left in the half, BSU started to drive at their own 44-yard line. Quarterback Wyatt Freeman played big before the half, completing 5/5 passes for 39 yards and 11 yards on the ground to help the Big Blue to the one-yard line. Jahdir Loftland completed the drive, punching in the one-yard touchdown run. With VanScoy's extra point, the Big Blue went into the half ahead 14-7.
The Marauders struck first in the second half to tie the score 14-14; however, Bluefield State was quick to answer with a touchdown of their own. Loftland started the drive with back-to-back rushes, totaling 43-yards, followed by Brandyn Jordan with eight yards of his own. After a CSU penalty, Freeman completed a 12-yard pass to Perry Wilder III to take back the lead. The Big Blue advantage was short lived after CSU returned the kickoff for a touchdown.
With one quarter left to play, the Big Blue knew they needed to come up big to secure the victory. Midway through the fourth, Freeman completed a pass to Khyon Smith for a 94-yard touchdown. VanScoy attempted to extend the lead further, but the extra point was blocked and taken for two by the Marauders. Despite CSU pulling within four, they could not overcome the deficit set by Bluefield State.
Up Next
The Big Blue will host Fort Valley State next Saturday, September 24th with kickoff at 1 p.m.
