Hawks fall at Birmingham-Southern

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.  – The Huntingdon football team scored first on Saturday night, but the Hawks could not find an answer for Birmingham-Southern in a 45-13 loss.

The Hawks scored twice in the first 19 minutes of the game, with Michael Lambert passing to Zack Self for a 3-yard touchdown in the first quarter and Cole Starr kicking a 41-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

But after Starr's field goal put Huntingdon in front 10-7 with 11:44 to play in the second quarter, the momentum began to shift to Birmingham-Southern.  

Records: Huntingdon (1-1); Birmingham-Southern (1-1)

The Turning Point: Following Starr's first field goal, Birmingham-Southern answered with two touchdowns in less than three minutes to take a 21-10 lead with 6:11 left in the first half.

After a 27-yard field goal by Starr closed the first-half scoring, Huntingdon trailed 21-13 at halftime.

Huntingdon opened the second half with a turnover deep in its own territory, setting the Panthers up at the Huntingdon 7-yard line. Birmingham-Southern scored in three plays to take a 28-13 lead.

A 43-yard field goal by Birmingham-Southern made it 31-13 late in the third quarter before the panthers scored two final touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Stat Leaders

Offense

Passing: Michael Lambert: 15/32 for 117 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT

Receiving: C.J. Pugh: 2 receptions for 25 yards

Sebastian Verger: 2 receptions for 25 yards

Zack Self: 3-yard touchdown reception

Rushing: Eric Thomas: 16 rushes for 58 yards, 0 TDs

Kicking:  Cole Starr: 1/1 PAT; 2/2 field goals (41 and 27 yards)

Defense

Tackles: Mal Caldwell (9), Ahmaud Taylor (6)

Interceptions: Ahmaud Taylor (1)

Quarterback Hurries: DeAnte' Griffith (3)

Head Coach Mike Turk on Saturday's loss: "We got beat by a better team tonight. They whipped us just about every way you can be whipped. Now, we have to go back to work. We have a lot we have to improve on as we move forward."

Coming Up: Huntingdon plays at Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Sept. 21 at noon.