JACKSON, Miss. - The Blazers' football team fell in their American Southwest Conference season opener on Saturday after being beaten by Southwestern University by a score of 34-27. 

The visiting Pirates jumped out to an early lead in the contest after they were able to drive down the field on their first possession with Landry Gilpin finding Austin Castilleja in the end zone. The Blazers would answer right back though after starting their drive with good field position. Quarterback Mayowa Asagunla hit Brad Foley for a short gain to set the Blazers up at the Southwestern six-yard line where Foley was able to punch it in for the score. 

Belhaven forced a quick stop to open the second quarter but a muffed punt by the Blazers' return man was recovered by Southwestern and set the visitors up inside the Belhaven 30-yard line. The Pirates would quickly add on to their lead on a short Travis Moore touchdown run and take a 14-6 advantage. Belhaven continued to answer the Pirates though and Kolbe Blunt's 49-yard rush on the ensuing drive set up Mayowa Asagunla's 16-yard touchdown run. 

Neither team was able to capitalize again before the end of the half and the score was tied 14-14 going into the break.

The Pirates got the ball to open the second half and were able to drive 73 yards in five minutes to regain their lead in the game. Leading 21-14, Southwestern doubled their advantage through special teams when JJ Slack blocked a Belhaven punt and recovered the loose ball in the end zone for a score.

Moving into the fourth quarter the Blazers looked to answer and just three plays in Asagunla broke off a 34-yard touchdown run to bring the game back within a score. The Blazers trailed 28-20 after a blocked extra point but Southwestern was once again able to push their lead out after a defensive pass interference on Belhaven extended the Pirates' drive. 

With just over nine minutes to play the Blazers embarked on a 72-yard drive capped off by Asagunla's third rushing touchdown which brought the game to a 34-27 score. Belhaven was unable to get the ball back though as the Pirates ate up the remaining 5:27 of game time to secure the win.

On the day, the Blazers put together 367 yards of total offense led by Mayowa Asagunla's 244 all-purpose yards. Asagunla finished the day 17-29 for 157 yards through the air while adding 87 yards rushing on 18 carries with three rushing touchdowns. Brad Foley added 60 yards on the ground for Belhaven with a touchdown while also leading the Blazers' in receiving with 45 yards on four catches. 

Defensively, Belhaven limited the Pirates to under 300 yards of offense with Carlton Brown's two tackles for loss headlining a group that saw six different players make a play in the Pirates' backfield. Corey Tolliver picked up two pass break ups while Demetrius Brokenberry and Connor Fordham combined for 13 total tackles. 

With the loss, the Blazers fall to 1-1 overall on the season and 0-1 in conference play. They will look to bounce back next Saturday when they travel to Abilene to face #7 Hardin-Simmons. Kick off is set for 1 PM.

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