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Tigers fall at Birmingham-Southern in SAA opener

More news about: Sewanee

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Sept. 19, 2015) – Behind an outstanding defensive effort, Southern Athletic Association (SAA) rival Birmingham-Southern defeated the Sewanee football team, 21-3, Saturday, at Battle Field.

The Tigers fall to 1-2 overall and 0-1 in SAA play. The host Panthers improved to 3-0 overall and 1-0 in league play.

It was a tough day offensively for Sewanee, as the Tigers were limited to 161 yards of total offense and no touchdowns.

After both teams got off to a slow start, Sewanee took an early 3-0 lead when kicker Callum Wishartbooted a 25-yard field goal. Wishart's kick capped off a long 14-play, 64-yard drive that took 7:20 off the clock.

Unfortunately, BSC answered back in a big way. The Panthers scored twice to close the half. BSC opened with 27-yard touchdown run by tailback Samir Usman. That drive took only 1:52 off the clock after a big pass play by quarterback Austin Martin to Daniel Lopera set up the Usman TD run.

The Panthers scored their second touchdown on the Tigers' next possession. BSC's Matthew Byers picked off Sewanee quarterback Cody Daniel and raced 19 yards for the touchdown.

BSC would add one final touchdown in the third quarter as Martin again found Lopera with a five-yard pass.

Sewanee's best chance to score in the second half came early in the fourth quarter. With 10:47 remaining, the Tigers failed to convert four plays inside the BSC 10-yard line. On third and goal from the BSC five, Sewanee fumbled and recovered the ball at the BSC 22. That play dropped Sewanee 15-yards back. The Tigers would then fail on fourth down, which ended the scoring chance.

Despite dominating in time of possession by over 10 minutes, Sewanee was undone by offensive miscues. Despite not losing a fumble, the Tigers did put the ball on the ground four times.

Individually, Devante Jones led the offense with 66 yards on 10 carries. Defensive tackle Lonnie Scott led the Tigers with seven tackles. Senior linebacker Grant Fuller also played well with six stops.

Usman led BSC with 69 rushing yards and a touchdown. Martin kept the BSC offense balanced by going 5-of-11 for 95 passing yards.

The Tigers will return to action with a 1:00 p.m. SAA game against Berry next Saturday at historic Hardee-McGee Field at Harris Stadium.

For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com. You can also check the Tigers out on TwitterFacebookYouTube, and Flickr.

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