CLINTON, S.C. - Freshman running back Lance Byrd responded tremendously to his first career start, shattering the school record for rushing yards in a game with 274, but the effort was not enough as Presbyterian College dropped a hard-fought high-scoring affair to Charleston Southern 46-32 Saturday afternoon.

The Blue hose now stand at 0-9 on the year and 0-4 in the Big South Conference. The Bucs improve to 4-5 overall and 2-2 in conference play.

PC out-gained CSU 530-485, but five costly turnovers proved to be the difference. The Blue Hose essentially led in nearly every statistical category except on the scoreboard.

Even in the loss, the story of the day was Byrd, who filled in for Trandon Dendy. Byrd ran wild on the opening drive and did not relent the rest of the way. He eclipsed the school record of 254 yards by Mason Gordon that was established on Oct. 23, 1993 in the 45-28 defeat of Mars Hill.

"The linemen did an outstanding job," Byrd said. "They were blocking as hard as they could and I knew I had to prove I deserved to be on the field with them. I just tried to give it my all."

"We have to be able to get off the field defensively," head coach Harold Nichols said. "There were key times we weren't able to go three-and-out. There were also things we did a good job on, but things we need to also work on in order to improve."

The offensive show heated up in the second half. After CSU went ahead 26-7, the Blue Hose trimmed the deficit to 16 on Aaron Mayes' 26-yard chip shot. The visitors countered with an 11-yard score. However, PC quickly countered as Tim Webb lofted a pass to the back of the end zone to slice the lead to 32-17.

A strong defensive stand got the Blue Hose back the ball with just over 10 minutes to play in the game. A methodical drive ensued as PC went 83 yards in 11 plays, consuming 4:43 off the clock. Byrd reached pay-dirt after scampering through and around the defense for a 26-yard run. The score pulled PC within eight, 32-24. However, it was the closest the Blue Hose would be as CSU scored on two consecutive possessions.

In the first quarter, after taking the opening kick-off 70 yards downfield to the Charleston Southern two-yard line, Webb was hurried as he rolled left. He pitched the ball into the end-zone, where Antwain Harvey jumped and picked off the ball six yards deep. He then took off with an escort down the field for the touchdown. The extra point gave the visitors a 7-0 lead with seven minutes off the clock.

On Charleston Southern's first possession of the game, the team drove 79 yards in 10 plays to go ahead 14-0.

The Blue Hose would not give up. The team went back to work on the 34-yard line. Webb completed a four-yard pass to finish off the first quarter. After switching sides of the field, it became Byrd's show. He carried the ball on five straight plays, covering 62 yards. His last carry was a three-yard rush for a touchdown. The big play in the drive was when Byrd made two players miss and sliced up the field for a 48-yard gain. Mayes' extra point cut the deficit to seven, 14-7.

CSU tried to answer the scoring drive, getting to the five-yard line. However, the PC defense stiffened on fourth-and one, giving the Blue Hose the ball back.

PC drove down the field, but Webb was picked off again at the 22-yard line. The defense held, but despite moving the ball once again, a turnover led to another Bucs' touchdown. However, Darnell Epps got a piece of the extra point, rendering the score at 20-7.

The Blue Hose led virtually every statistical category in the first half. Nichols' team racked up 283 yards of offense, 153 of which came on the ground. Webb tossed for 130 yards in the first two periods of play. PC also held a 17:54-12:06 time of possession advantage.

CSU managed 188 total yards in the first half, 149 of which came through the air. The visitors managed just 39 yards rushing on 15 attempts.

Byrd had 158 of his yards in the first half on 20 carries. In just 30 minutes of play, he shattered the PC Division I school record of 154 yards by S.J. Worrell on Sept. 29, 2007 against North Carolina Central. 

"We have to get our guys ready for a big game this week and in a position to win. Today we learned some lessons and need to move forward in order to become a better team."

The 32 points were the most PC has scored in a game since Sept. 6, 2008, when the Blue Hose defeated Fayetteville State 38-28.

The Blue Hose return to action next Saturday at Coastal Carolina. Kick-off is slated for 12:30 p.m.