JACKSON, Miss. - Belhaven University football dropped a 55-21 decision to No. 10 Hardin-Simmons University Saturday afternoon inside Belhaven Bowl Stadium.

With just 8:47 remaining in the first quarter, the Blazers found themselves in a 21-point hole. All three possesions that led to Hardin-Simmons (7-1) scores started in Belhaven territory. 

Belhaven (1-7) put together a 14-play, 67-yard drive midway through the first quarter, ending in a Hunter McEachern to Nate Williams 3-yard touchdown at the 4:25 mark of the quarter. Deon Richardson haulded in three catches for 17 yards to aid the the Blazers drive. 

It took just over a minute for the Cowboys to get on the scoreboard again as Garrett Martin took a short pass 36 yards to the end zone. 

Hardin-Simmons added two more touchdowns at the 12:15 mark of the second quarter and five minutes before the halftime whistle to take a 42-7 lead. A Nico Francino field goal as time expired in the second quarter made the score 45-7 in favor of the Cowboys. 

Belhaven came out with more intensity in the second half, and held Hardin-Simmons to just 10 points while putting two Blazers touchdowns on the board. 

Jacob McNeill caught a 13-yard touchdown five minutes into the third quarter to bring the Blazers within 31 points of the Cowboys. McEachern completed three straight passes to McNeill for a total of 46 yards. 

Early in the fourth quarter McEachern found Richardson for a 10-yard score to finish up an 11-play, 75 yard drive. Darien Thomas came up with a clutch 38-yard reception on a 4th and eight situation to put the Blazers at the Hardin-Simmons 14-yard line. 

The Cowboys recorded 655 total yards of offense, including 309 rushing yards, while Belhaven tallied 473 total yards of offense. 

McNeill finished with 98 yards on seven catches to lead the receiving corps while David D'Angelo recorded 97 yards with nine receptions. Richardson collected 10 receptions with 65 yards. 

Alvin Vaugh paced the Belhaven defense, posting a career-high 15 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss. Alvin McCaskey added 11 tackles while Maurice Stewart collected 10 tackles. Jack Lacy broke up two passes. 

Next up, the Blazers host No. 3 Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday, Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. in the team's final home game of the season. 

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