BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Birmingham-Southern football team advanced into the second round of the 2021 NCAA Division III Football Championship after a 24-14 win over in-state rival Huntingdon College. Quarterback Trey Patterson led the way for the offense as he lead the team in rushing for the second time this season. The defense was sparked by defensive lineman Sam Taylor and defensive back DJ Albright. 

The game started with fireworks on the opening kickoff. Huntingdon returned the kickoff for 63 yards resulting in a short field for the Hawks opening drive. The Hawks capitalized on the short field as quarterback Landon Cotney ran in for a touchdown from 24 yards out to give the Hawks a very early 7-0 lead. 

It was now time for the Birmingham-Southern offense to take the field. A strong passing attack lead the way on the opening drive for the Panthers as Patterson found three different receivers for completions. The drive was capped off by a tough, 14-yard touchdown run by Tavion Fleming that tied the game 7-7. 

On the next Hawks possession the BSC defense went to work and forced a three and out. The ensuing point was short and then took a BSC bounce setting them up with great field position. Birmingham-Southern capitalized with a 38-yard field goal from Zach Ford to take a 10-7 lead. 

The Hawks started the second quarter with the ball, but that would not last long. The Hawks drive ended with an interception in the endzone. The Interception by DJ Albright gave the Panthers some momentum, but the Panthers would not take advantage of the turnover. After a short drive that ended with a punt the Hawks got the ball back at their own 25-yard line. The next couple of possessions did not see either team threaten to score. With just about a minute left in the half that would change. 

Cameron DeArman forced a fumble that the Panthers recovered on the Huntingdon 7-yard line by Court Coley. BSC would take full advantage of this takeaway as Patterson ran in from 5 yards out to give the Panthers a 17-7 lead. BSC took a 17-7 lead into halftime. 

Coming out of halftime both defenses made their adjustments as there was 14 total points scored in the second half. Both teams did not score on their opening possessions of the second half as BSC missed a 31-yard field goal and Huntingdon went three and out. On the next Panther drive did result in points, thanks once again to Trey Patterson.

Patterson scrambled in from eight yards out to extended the Panthers lead to 24-7. Huntingdon did not back down and scored on their next possession giving them some momentum back on their sideline. That is all either team would get though for the rest of the game. The defenses locked in kept their opponent off the scoreboard for the final 14:35 of game time. 

For the first time in BSC Football history the Panthers won a NCAA Division III National Football Championship Playoff game. 

Post-game interview


Records
Birmingham-Southern 10-1 Overall, Huntingdon 8-3 Overall

News and notes
> Robert Shufford is now the program leader for all-purpose yards. 
> BSC has forced seven turnovers in two games against the Hawks this season.
> This was the first time in BSC football history that the team has played, hosted, and won a NCAA Championship Playoff game. 

Up next
The Panthers will take on No. 2 University of Mary Hardin-Baylor next Saturday, Nov. 27 at 12 p.m. The location of the game is TBD at the moment.