CLINTON, S.C. - Three first-half turnovers were too much for the
Presbyterian College football team to overcome Saturday afternoon in a 34-17
loss to North Greenville in the home opener for the Blue Hose.
PC now stands at 0-4 on the year while the Crusaders improve to 2-3.
"We gave North Greenville opportunities and they capitalized," head coach Harold
Nichols said. "We had some three and outs in the third quarter and had three
turnovers in the first half."
Patrick McKoy led the receiving corps with five receptions for a team-best 58
yards. One of his catches went for his first touchdown of the season. Tyler
Robbins had four catches for 44 yards. Senior Jeremy Cole hauled in two throws
for 32 yards, one of which was a touchdown.
Redshirt-senior Trandon Dendy led the rushing attack with 73 yards on 14
carries. Lance Byrd chipped in 42 yards on 11 attempts.
Brandon Miley completed 17-22 for 183 yards and had two touchdowns, but he also
threw two interceptions.
Defensively, CeeJay Harris posted a team-high eight tackles, six of which were
solo. Rookie Keyadd Miller posted six stops while fellow first-year student-athlete
notched five.
Down 7-0 in the first quarter, Dendy got things going with a six-yard gainer to
the NGU 35 after the Blue Hose recovered an on-side kick. Miley then hit McKoy
for a 10-yard completion before connecting with Robbins for eight, putting PC
in the red zone.
After a roughing the passer penalty on the Crusaders, Nichols' team had a first
down on the eight. Facing a second-and-goal from the 12, Miley hooked up with
McKoy for the touchdown strike.
NGU went back on top 14-7 thanks in part to an 82-yard touchdown pass just
after the start of the second quarter. Two possessions later, PC answered with
a Cam Miller field goal, cutting the deficit to four, 14-10.
On that drive, Dendy carried the load. The Blue Hose started the drive on the
41 after forcing just a 30-yard punt from the 11. Dendy started with a
nine-yard scamper. He helped get the ball to the 17. Then, Miley hit Dendy on
third-11 for an eight-yard gain. After a time-out, Miller connected from 26
yards out for the 14-10 halftime score.
The Crusaders came out in the third quarter and drove 59 yards on 11 plays,
eventually scoring the touchdown on a five-yard pass with 8:03 to go. PC went
three-and-out, giving the ball back to NGU. The Crusaders then drove six plays
for a touchdown on a three-yard run, making the score 27-10.
In the fourth quarter, Nichols' team got going. Lance Byrd started a drive on a
15-yard rush from the 49-yard line. On third-and-five, Miley hit McKoy for 11,
putting the ball at the 20.
After a first-and-goal from the two, penalties made it third-and-goal from the
seven. After a time-out, Miley connected for the touchdown with Jeremy Cole. A
score by NGU put the game out of reach with just minutes to play.
"We will go back to work tomorrow and prepare for the Keydets of VMI."
The Blue Hose return to action next Saturday at VMI. The contest is slated for
1:30 p.m.
