ROME, Ga. - The Birmingham-Southern football team won their eighth straight game and stayed perfect on the season after a gutty 21-3 win over Berry.
The first quarter saw no scoring by either team. After forcing a three-and-out the Panthers drove down the field and got into field goal range, but would not get any points after a missed field goal. The next five combined drives saw no more than four plays by either team.
On an 11-play, 42 yard drive the Panthers again got into field goal range but could not muster any points. This time the field goal was blocked. Berry used that momentum and marched down the field to put the first points of the game up on the board. A 28-yard field goal gave the Vikings a 3-0 lead. Both teams traded possessions before BSC got on the board.
A 93-yard drive with
Robert Shufford capping it off with a 57-yard touchdown run gave the Panthers the lead late in the second quarter. Both defenses held strong not allowing the other to score and Birmingham-Southern took a 7-3 lead to halftime.
After marching down the field and on the verge of scoring the Panthers got stuffed on 4th and 2 and turned the ball over on downs. After again trading possessions, the next Berry drive of the game resulted in Panther points.
Jimmy Anderson picked off the Berry quarterback and took it back for a pick six. The score gave the Panthers a 14-3 lead.
BSC took the 14-3 lead into the fourth quarter. Just over halfway through the fourth quarter Shufford rushed in from 10 yards out to extend the Panther lead to 21-3. The Panthers held on to the lead and even had a goal line stand with just about two minutes left to keep the Vikings at bay. The Panthers won their eighth straight game of the season to stay undefeated.
Records
Birmingham-Southern 8-0 Overall (5-0 SAA), Berry 5-3 Overall (3-2 SAA)
Words from the student-athletes
News and notes
> The eight wins is the most since BSC's return to football in 2007.
> This is the first two hundred yard rushing game for Shufford this year.
> Birmingham-Southern has won two of the last three meetings with the Vikings.
Up next
The Panthers will host undefeated Trinity University (Texas) next Saturday, Nov. 6. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. The Panthers will honor their seniors prior to the game.
