CLINTON, S.C. - The Presbyterian College football team put forth a tremendous effort against VMI, but fell by a 31-20 count in front of 3,483 fans on Homecoming.

The Blue Hose fall to 0-7 on the season and 0-2 in Big South play. The Keydets improve to 2-5 on the season and 1-3 against conference competition.

Leading the way for PC was Tim Webb, who threw for a game-high 222 yards on 15-of-24 with a long of 68 yards to Sean Adegbola. Adegbola recorded a career-high 133 yards receiving on just four catches. Myron Gary completed a pass for 27 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, Trandon Dendy rushed for a team-best 47 yards and a touchdown. Lance Byrd also scored a touchdown on his only carry of the day, which was a one-yard plunge.

Defensively, Justin Bethel led the way with eight tackles and a pass break-up. Bo Tribble accounted for seven tackles on the day. Daryl Ash, Brian Davis, Iouli Bourroughs and Bryce Smiley all had a tackle for loss.

Brian Leonardi scooped up a fumble and went 48 yards. Derek Brown and Darnell Epps each picked up a fumble.

The Blue Hose fell behind by a 14-0 count through the first quarter of play. Neither squad was able to score on their first possession.

On PC's second possession of the game, Brandon Miley connected to Matt Quinn for a quick eight-yard strike. On second down, the Blue Hose moved the chains when Miley connected on a five-yard pass to Tyler Robbins. The ground game got moving as Dendy carried on back-to-back plays for 12 yards and another first down. However, the team was unable to muster another first down and had to punt the ball away.

VMI took over on its own 27 and quickly went 73 yards in just seven plays to take a 7-0 lead. Howard Abegesah, Tim Maypray and T.J. Talley took turns carrying the load for the Keydets as the team went all 73 yards on the ground.

On the very next play, Miley was intercepted on the 16-yard line. Four plays later, VMI went up 14-0 when Abegesah got through the pile and crossed the goal line.

In the second period, the PC defense stepped up, stuffing the Keydets for two plays. On third-and-seven, Darnell Epps recovered a fumble at the VMI 30.

The Blue Hose earned a first down after a penalty by VMI. On fourth-and-19 on the 27-yard line, Aaron Mayes trotted on the field to attempt a 44-yard field goal. The ball was snapped to Parker Fleming, who flipped the ball over his shoulder. Gary went to the left side of the field, stopped, planted and rifled the ball back to Fleming, who raced down the sideline for the touchdown. It was the first touchdown pass of Gary's young career and the second overall touchdown for Fleming, cutting the score to 14-7.

However, VMI used its quick-strike offense to cover 92 yards in just two plays. Kyle Hughes went for 45 yards and then Abegesah rushed 37 yards for the touchdown, making the score 21-7 in favor of the visitors.

PC had a chance to slice into the lead later in the quarter. With 2:12 to play, Tim Webb came in and drove the team to the 22-yard line. Mayes was unable to connect on the 39-yard field goal, ending the half.

In a wild third quarter, the Keydets took the kick-off and promptly went down the field to the PC 26-yard line. The defense held VMI on third-and-four, forcing a field goal attempt that sailed wide left. However, the Blue Hose could not muster any offense and VMI took over with 9:52 to play in the quarter.

The Keydets slowly and methodically moved the ball down the field. After 15 plays, the visitors had the ball all the way down to the six. After a delay of game penalty, Brian Wilson came around the end and blocked the kick which Daryl Ash recovered. Ash took off up the field, but fumbled the ball at the 21. VMI recovered and scored three plays later for a 28-7 lead.

PC sliced into the deficit to start the fourth quarter. After a drive in which Webb and Dendy helped get the ball down the field, Dendy rushed in from two yards out, capping a nine-play 90-yard drive that consumed 3:33 of the clock.

After a VMI field goal pushed the lead to 17, Webb calmly brought the Blue Hose down the field. He hit Adegbola for a 68-yard gain to the VMI 1. Byrd then went up the middle for the score.

Trailing 31-20, the defense forced a fumble at the 50-yard line. PC quickly moved down the field, but missed a 34-yard field goal that would have brought the team within a score. VMI did not relinquish the ball the rest of the way.

VMI accounted for 424 yards rushing while limiting PC to 36. Behind Webb, the Blue Hose threw for 302 yards on 24-of-43 passing with two touchdowns. The Keydets out-gained PC 504-338.

The Blue Hose travel to Lynchburg, Va., for a 3:30 p.m., match-up with Liberty on Oct. 31.