WINCHESTER, Va. (BC Athletics) – The Bridgewater College football team fell to Shenandoah 24-21 on Saturday afternoon.

The Eagles got the ball first and used a pir of big completions including a 22-yard connection from Jaicere Bateman to Tate Leach to get the Eagles in SU territory. Three plays later, the drive was over as Bateman had a pass intercepted at the Shenandoah 28 yard-line.

BC forced a quick third down on Shenandoah’s first drive, but the Hornets converted and extended the drive. SU converted another third down on the drive, and followed that up with a pair of 10+ yard completions as a 12-yard strike made it 7-0 for the Hornets after the PAT.

Bridgewater’s offense went back to work and marched down the field where it made its first trip to the redzone of the afternoon. The drive stalled there though, as a loss on first down put the Eagles behind the chains. Shenandoah forced the Eagles to fourth down and the passing attempt was incomplete for BC’s first empty redzone trip of the season.

Shenandoah looked to drive down the field, but the BC defense forced a punt. BC’s next drive was stalled due to a holding penalty, which led the Bridgewater’s first punt of the day. SU got the ball back, but did not have it for long as the Hornets coughed the ball up and Coleman Strange fell on it near midfield.

BC capitalized on the short field as a pair of long completions to Evan Wlesh put Bridgewater in position and the Eagles capitalized as Bateman scored from a yard out to make 7-6 it as the PAT was blocked.

Shenandoah put a drive together just before the half and looked to have found pay dirt before a penalty pulled the touchdown off the board. SU settled for a field goal from 22-yards out to make it 10-6 heading to the half.

The Hornets got the ball back to start the second half and marched down the field, but a fumble on fourth down gave Bridgewater the ball back in their own territory. The Eagles drove down the field thanks to a pair of big catches by Ian Browne, including a 15-yard grab to take the ball inside the SU 10 yard-line. BC got all the way to the two, but was stopped at the goal line to keep the same 10-6 scoreline late in the third quarter.

Bridgewater got the ball back as they forced a Shenandoah punt after a sack by Aaron Nice and Shalin Green. The ensuing drive stalled after an interception and SU capitalized on fourth-and-goal to make it 17-6 after the successful PAT.

Bridgewater’s offense came out for the next drive with a spark as Tommy Nelson broke off for a 71-yard kick return all the way to the SU 28 yard-line. The Eagles converted on an early fourth down in the drive, but met another at the one yard-line. The Eagles capitalized with trickery as they faked a field goal and Aiden Grefe scrambled to the pylon for the touchdown. BC went for two and was successful as Bateman and Leach connected to make it 14-17 with 3:39 to play.

Shenandoah got the ball back with a short field after a good return on a short kickoff. Four plays later Shenandoah got into the endzone on a 34-yard carry by Aidan McCloskey. The PAT was true to make it 24-14 with 1:47 to play.

Bridgewater had good field position with short time to play after Shenandoah had a short kick of its own. BC worked quick as Bateman connected for a pair of long gains to Browne and Clayton Forsythe to take the ball inside the SU yard-line. Two plays later, Bateman scampered in from five yards out to make it 24-21 after the kick from Ben Bermudez.

BC was forced to go for the onside kick with under a minute to play, but Shenandoah fell on it to seal the victory.

The Eagles were led by 87 receiving yards from Browne on seven catches as Bateman had an efficient day passing with 261 yards on 24-of-29 through the air. Jordan Harper and Nice led the Eagles with 10 total tackles. Oscar Whitely added eight tackles and a solo TFL.

Mekhi Brown tossed for 228 yards for the Hornets, while the explosive SU rushing attack tallied 188 yards on the ground and averaged 5.7 yards per attempt.

The Eagles are back in action at home on Homecoming on Oct. 11 against Roanoke. Kick is set for 2 p.m.

— BC Athletics —