WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. – The Belhaven University football team fell to No. 4 University of the Cumberlands Saturday afternoon, falling 31-27 in a fourth quarter comeback by the Patriots.
 
The Blazers (2-1) carried a 21-14 lead into the halftime break after Belhaven's Darien Thomas had three touchdown grabs to tie the game twice and take the lead late in the second quarter.
 
Thomas' first touchdown came after a 48-yard catch, followed by a 47-yard catch, which set the Blazers up at the 3-yard line. Conner Preston then found Thomas on a corner route for the score, tying the game up at seven. Thomas' three catches capped a 94-yard drive for the Blazers.
 
Following a touchdown drive by Cumberlands (1-1), Preston connected with Thomas again on a deep strike and Thomas' catch and run went 65-yards, tying the game up at 14.
 
Thomas finished the game with nine catches for 186 yards.
 
Late in the half, Belhaven executed a 2-minute offense to perfection and the Blazers carried a 21-14 lead into the half after Preston found Thomas in the back of the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown play.
 
Preston finished 36-of-65 with 465 yards passing and four touchdowns in the game. However, the quarterback was sacked eight times, a large part of Belhaven's -30 yards rushing in the game.
 
Despite the lead, the Blazers left some points on the field in the first half, as Alonso Acosta's 33-yard field goal attempt missed left on the opening drive for the Green and Gold.
 
After the third quarter saw only three points, by way of a Cumberlands 32-yard field goal, the Patriots took the lead 24-21 with a 67-yard touchdown run at 10:17.
 
On their next drive, the Patriots went up 10 on the Blazers after another touchdown drive extended Belhaven's deficit to 31-21.
 
The Blazers were able to answer as Greg Livingston scored on a 33-yard touchdown catch and run. Livingston wrapped up the game with 11 catches for 136 yards.
 
However, Acosta's extra-point attempt was missed, leaving the score at 31-27.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, it appeared that the Blazers had recovered the onside kick, but the play was called back for an offside penalty.
 
Cumberlands was able to run out the remainder of the clock, handing Belhaven its first loss of 2014. It is the fourth time in school history and second time against Cumberlands that the Blazers have reached a 2-0 start but failed to get to three straight wins to begin the season.

Defensively, Alvin Vaughn led the way with 16 tackles, eight solo and eight assisted. Queondre Wynn had seven tackles, including 2.5 tackles for a loss.

Chris Brown had an interception for the Blazers, which ended a Patriots drive deep in Blazers' territory. It was the only turnover for either team in the game.
 
Belhaven will return to the road next week, set to travel to No. 25 Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tenn. The game is scheduled for a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.