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BUENA VISTA, Va. — The Southern Virginia University football team (6–2, 3–2) dropped a 41–19 decision to the Belhaven University Blazers (6–2, 5–0) in USA South Conference play on Saturday, as a fast start from the Blazers proved too much to overcome despite a strong second-half effort from the Knights.
Belhaven wasted no time finding the end zone, taking advantage of a long kickoff return and a penalty to set up a short nine-yard drive capped by a touchdown pass just one minute into the game.
The Knights' next possession was derailed by penalties and a sack that pushed them back to their own one-yard line, forcing a short punt that set up another Blazer scoring drive. A 28-yard rush extended the Belhaven lead to 13–0 after a blocked extra point by Peyton Brown.
Southern Virginia's offense began to find rhythm midway through the second quarter. Starting near midfield, quarterback Marcus Price connected on four straight passes to set up a goal-line opportunity before taking it in himself for a rushing touchdown, cutting the deficit to 13–6.
Belhaven answered quickly to make it 20–6, but the Knights refused to back down. Price orchestrated a six-play drive capped by a touchdown strike to Jireek Washington, trimming the lead to 20–12 with just over a minute remaining in the half. However, the Blazers struck again on their final possession before halftime with a 24-yard touchdown pass to take a 27–12 advantage into the break.
Southern Virginia's defense created a spark early in the third quarter as Anthony Moore II forced a fumble on a punt return that Joseph Kroeger recovered, setting up another Knights scoring drive. Price found Washington for a 35-yard completion before punching it in himself for his second rushing touchdown of the day, making it 27–19 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Blazers, however, sealed the game with two quick touchdown passes in the final period, pulling away for the 41–19 win.
Southern Virginia outgained Belhaven through the air 227–212 but struggled on the ground, managing just 51 rushing yards compared to the Blazers' 188. The Knights converted only 2 of 16 third-down attempts and finished with 278 total yards of offense to Belhaven's 400.
Defensively, Ty Smith led the way with 15 tackles (12 solo), an interception, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups. Cade Hanson added 11 tackles and a forced fumble.
Offensively, quarterbacks Price, Quinn Masi, and Devin Watson combined for 227 passing yards, while Washington led the receiving corps with five receptions for 70 yards and one touchdown.
Southern Virginia looks to bounce back next week as they continue conference play on the road, November 8th in Montgomery, Alabama where they travel to face Huntingdon (4-4, 3-2) in the team's final road game of the season.
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