Box Score
JACKSON, Miss.- Defense was the name of the game on Saturday afternoon at H.T. Newell Field and unfortunately Belhaven came up short, falling by the final of 13-10 on a field goal by Kentucky Christian as time expired. The Blazers offense had scored 122 points in the last two games, but the Knights relentless 3-4 defense brought it to a halt, limiting Belhaven to 196 yards of total offense.

Kentucky Christian (3-3) had the first look on offense and drove down the field for a 34 yard field goal from Andrew Slikker that gave the Knights a 3-0 lead. A short kickoff and 19 yard return by Jer'y Christian setup Kentucky Christian with good field position at the KCU 46 to start the possession. A Graham Johnston 34 yard pass to Hayeden Welch put the Knights in field goal range.

The Blazers tried to answer with their first drive of the game and managed to move the ball all the way to the Knights six yard line. Kentucky Christian's defense made the first of two goal line stands and kept Belhaven out of the end zone. On a second and four play from the six, Belhaven junior running back Kadero Edley lost two yards and following a five yard false start penalty, and incomplete pass brought up fourth and 11 from the 13. A field goal from senior James Bryan sailed wide left as Belhaven (2-4) let a scoring opportunity to go by the boards.

Not to be outdone by Kentucky Christian's defense, Belhaven's defense rose to the challenge late in the first quarter to keep the Knights from crossing the goal line. Junior defensive back Justin Mims picked off a Johnston pass in the end zone after Kentucky Christian and taken the ball down to the Blazers 12 yard line. For Mims, it was his third INT of the season and the first of three interceptions on the afternoon by the defense.

Unfortunately, the Belhaven offense stalled on the ensuing possession and Bryan was forced to punt out of his own end zone. Kentucky Christian took over on the Blazers 48 yard line to start the second quarter and they turned the good field position into seven points. Running back Nathan Termuhlen broke off a 41 yard run that setup a one yard touchdown plunge by Johnston to make it a 10-0 game.

Neither team scored for the remainder of the second quarter, although the Blazers had a couple of chances with good field position thanks to the defense. Johnston was sacked by defensive lineman Victor Byers resulting in a fumble that was picked up by safety Alex Valdez at the Knights 47 yard line. The offense went three and out and a sack by Isiah Keyes on third down pushed the Blazers back to their own 45 forcing a punt. It was one of five sacks recorded by the Knights on Saturday.

Belhaven Isiah Wiley then returned a punt to the KCU 48 yard after the defense forced a three and out of its own. With 27 seconds to go in the half, Belhaven quarterback Alex Williams fired a 14 yard strike to wide receiver Kylan Pollard advancing the ball to the 34. The Blazers could get no closer after three incomplete passes and with two seconds left in the half, Bryan's 51 yard field goal attempt glanced off the right upright keeping the score at 10-0.

Belhaven knocked on the door again with just over six minutes left in the third quarter, but a fumble by Pollard after a 15 yard reception at the KCU two yard snuffed out a potential scoring opportunity. The Blazers defense stood tall again and forced a punt by the Knights and this time the offense took advantage. Williams found wide receiver Fred Boggs for 20 yards putting the ball at the 10. On the next play, Williams connected with wide receiver Deuce Coon for a touchdown to make it 10-7 with 16 seconds to go in the third.

Belhaven knotted the game in the fourth quarter on a Bryan 33 yard field goal after an interception by linebacker Darius Wren gave the Blazers the ball at the KCU 10 yard line. However, the Kentucky Christian defense didn't back down and forced the field goal to keep the game tied instead of it being a potential lead of 14-10 for the Blazers. That defensive stand ended up proving to be the difference in the game.

Belhaven had one more shot to take the lead when Wiley came up with an interception that put the ball in the hands of offense at the KCU 47. The Blazers managed to move the ball to the 36 yard line, but on fourth down a 53 yard field goal attempt from Bryan fell short with 6:54 to play.

The Knights then took over at their 36 yard line after the miss and moved in for the game winning kick. Kentucky Christian converted on a third and 12 and third and four in the game clinching drive. Slikker, who struggled last week against Campbellsville, redeemed himself this week with the game winning 33 yard field goal as time expired.

“It was a hard fought game that we came out on the wrong side of,” said Belhaven Head Coach Joe Thrasher. “I was proud of the way we responded in the second half, but we have to get timely stops. In my opinion, Kentucky Christian's defense was the best we have seen so far. We have to regroup and get ready for next week.”

After rushing for 169 yards last week, Edley was held to 64 yards on 15 carries against the Knights. Williams completed 11 passes for 116 yards and one touchdown. Boggs hauled in four receptions for 57 yards and Coon had the only Belhaven TD catch. The offense struggled on third down going 2 for 12 and went 2 for 4 in the red zone.

Linebackers Calvin Lewis and Wren led the defense with 13 and 12 tackles respectively. Defensive back Craig McDonald had nine tackles and 2.5 for a loss. Byers came up with fours stops and 1.5 sacks.

Johnston was Kentucky Christian's leading rusher with 76 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. He completed seven passes for 84 yards. The Knights ended the afternoon with 254 total yards. Jordan Lawson had eight tackles followed by Marvin Newkirk with seven tackles and two sacks on defense.

The Blazers will try and regroup next week against Bluefield College in the annual Homecoming game at H.T. Newell Field. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 PM.