Huntingdon rallies late but comes up short at Birmingham-Southern

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – The Huntingdon football team scored twice in the final minute but could not complete the comeback in a 35-34 loss to Birmingham-Southern on Saturday night.

Quarterback Luke Bailey connected with Willie Coleman on a 29-yard touchdown pass with four seconds left to make it a one-point game. The Hawks decided to go for a two-point conversion but the pass attempt was unsuccessful.

The Hawks (1-1) still had one chance left after recovering the onside kick with three seconds left. Bailey heaved a desperation pass down the field as time expired but it was broken up by the Panthers.

Birmingham-Southern (2-0) never trailed in the game. The Panthers scored on the opening possession, led 14-7 at the half and 21-7 midway through the third quarter. Following Jamal Watkins' 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter, Birmingham-Southern led 28-14 with 14:44 to play.

The Hawks pulled within seven points when Bailey connected with John Dunn on a 15-yard score with 6:14 to play. With 53 seconds left in the game, Bailey found Diggan Andre for a 17-yard touchdown strike to tie the game 28-28.

But on the ensuing kickoff, Birmingham-Southern's Watkins struck again, this time returning the kick 93 yards for a touchdown to make it 35-28 with 40 seconds remaining.

Bailey finished with 322 yards and four touchdowns on a 23-of-48 night. He also rushed for 52 yards on 16 carries. John Iwaniec led the ground game with 82 yards on 16 carries. Sophomore Lorenzo James only had three carries, but scored on a 22-yard run to end the third quarter.

Freshman Jaytarius Steele led the Huntingdon receivers with five catches for 84 yards. Senior Jamichael Bibb scored the Hawks' first touchdown of the game on an 11-yard reception from Bailey in the second quarter.

Huntingdon finished with 508 yards of offense and held Birmingham-Southern to 255 yards.

Linebacker Jake Green led the Hawks with seven tackles and a fumble recovery and defensive lineman Heath McCray had three tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble. Defensive lineman Octavis Harris also had a fumble recovery and linebacker Jake Rhodes picked off one pass.

The Hawks return to action on Sept. 26 at Belhaven at 1 p.m.