DANVILLE, Ky. – Centre football fell by a 28-21 score Saturday to Birmingham-Southern during Homecoming inside Farris Stadium.
 
The Colonels led by a touchdown heading into the fourth quarter, but the Panthers – who received votes in the latest AFCA Top 25 – rallied with a pair of late touchdowns to escape with a victory.
 
Centre slides to 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the Southern Athletic Association, while BSC remains perfect at 6-0 overall and 3-0 within league play.
 
HIGHLIGHTS
- Centre led 13-0 in the first quarter, highlighted by a scoop-and-score touchdown from Keanan John midway through the period. Later in the quarter, Trentin Dupper found Sam Murray for a 27-yard touchdown pass that made it 13-0 following a missed PAT.
- The Panthers responded just before the end of the quarter on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Trey Patterson to Branden Rew.
- Centre's defense forced another turnover in the second quarter, squashing an 11-play, 87-yard drive after Joseph Becherer caused a fumble that was recovered by Armon Wells inside the five-yard line. The offense fumbled on its first play on the ensuing possession, however, setting up a BSC score that made it 14-13 at the half.
- The Colonels began the third quarter on a high note, driving 59 yards on six plays, capped by an 11-yard scamper from Dupper. Murray, who serves as Centre's placekick holder, successfully converted a two-point conversion on a fake PAT to put the home team up 21-14.
- Nick Grant came up with an interception on BSC's next drive, and Cole Arendsen forced a fumble on the one after that Miles Smith recovered to make it two straight takeaways for the defense.
- The Panthers held firm defensively, however, and their offense converted two rushing scores to put Centre on the ropes at 28-21.
- On their final drive, the Colonels navigated penalties and a handful of third and fourth down conversions, but ultimately fell short.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Oliver Hunter was a force inside the defensive line, recording 5.5 tackles for loss and four sacks – matching the highest single-game mark this season in NCAA Division III. He finished with eight total tackles to lead the team.
- Wells followed with seven tackles, while John and Caleb Jones had six apiece.
- Dupper went 14 of 32 for 191 yards and a touchdown passing. Murray finished with 90 yards on six catches, while Cort Marbaugh followed with 78 yards on five grabs.
 
UP NEXT
Centre hits the road next Saturday, Oct. 23, taking on Millsaps at 1 p.m. ET in Jackson, Miss.