CLINTON, S.C. - The Presbyterian College football team suffered a heartbreaking loss to Gardner-Webb Saturday afternoon in the season finale by a 21-14 score.

The Blue Hose end the season at 0-11 overall and 0-6 in Big South Conference play. The Bulldogs finish the year at 6-5 and 3-3 against conference competition.

"I can't be more proud of the team," head coach Harold Nichols said. "This team is comprised of men of character. They played with great effort all year.

"We were a play here and a play there from winning and competing in games this year. We have an awfully young football team and I'm excited about the future of the program. PC has great kids, student-athletes and representatives of the institution on this football team."

Redshirt-sophomore Brandon Miley completed 19-of-34 attempts for 247 yards and a touchdown. Rookie Lance Byrd led the rushing attack with 60 yards and a touchdown. Patrick McKoy recorded a touchdown catch from Miley and tallied a team-best 62 yards.

After falling behind 14-0 with 30 seconds left before intermission, the pesky Blue Hose defense kept the Bulldogs from adding a third touchdown in the third quarter.

In the third period, PC had a solid chance at putting some points on the board. Facing a third-and-17 from its own 23-yard line, Miley hit Sean Adegbola for a 43-yard completion to the GWU 34.

The Blue Hose methodically moved down the field until they faced a fourth-and-five from the Bulldogs' 17-yard line. After a time-out, PC optioned to the left and had Byrd racing around the corner after taking the pitch from Miley. However, he was stopped just inches from the first down, giving the ball back to the visitors.

PC held GWU on its next two possessions, giving Nichols' squad the ball at its own 24. A pass interference penalty gave the Blue Hose the ball at the 39. Miley then hit Adegbola for 44 yards to the GWU 17.

Miley went back to the pass, hitting Byrd for 14 yards. Then, on second down, Byrd rushed through the right side for the touchdown, slicing the deficit to just seven, 14-7.

The defense, fired up from the score, forced GWU to punt after Bryce Smiley hurried Stan Doolittle into an incomplete pass with 3:49 to play.

The Blue Hose - behind the 2,554 faithful in attendance - started throwing the ball around the field. Miley hit Anderico Bailey for 16 yards and a first down. On the next play, Miley hit McKoy for a 16-yard gainer to the PC 48. After an incomplete pass, Miley was forced out of the pocket. As he rolled to his right, he spotted an open receiver. However, Jermaine Grandison stepped in front of the pass for the interception.

On third-and-six, Patrick Hall slipped a tackle and scampered 49 yards for a touchdown, making the score 21-7.

Just like all season long, there was no quit in Nichols' team. On the ensuing possession with just 1:16 to play, PC marched 52 yards in seven plays for a touchdown. Miley hit McKoy for the 13-yard gainer, pulling the team within seven after Aaron Mayes' extra point.

In similar fashion to last week, the Blue Hose were forced to try for the onsides kick. However, GWU recovered the high-bouncing kick at the 44.

Brian Leonardi recorded a game-high 10 tackles.

The Blue Hose lose only six players to graduation and return an abundance of talent to one of the youngest teams in the country.