MARS HILL, N.C. – The Limestone College football team rallied from two second-half deficits following a slow start over the first 30 minutes, but it would not be enough as Mars Hill University scored a late touchdown and then sealed the 35-28 decision with a pick on Saturday, October 19 at Meares Stadium.
 
GAME INFORMATION
Score: Mars Hill 35, Limestone 28
Records: Mars Hill (4-3, 3-1), Limestone (2-5, 1-3)
Location: Meares Stadium
 
INSIDE THE BOXSCORE
 

• Junior RB Jerko'ya Patton (Charlotte, N.C.) rushed for 108 yards and two TDs on 19 carries
• Junior QB DJ Phillips (Fayetteville, Ga.) went 14-of-34 for 198 yards and two scores
• Phillips threw three critical interceptions, including two in the second half
• Junior WR Quay Brown (Rock Hill, S.C.) finished with two catches for 69 yards and a TD
• Sophomore WR Juwan Scott (North Charleston, S.C.) added 39 yards and a touchdown
• Junior WR Cedric Smith (Columbia, S.C.) posted six catches for 41 yards
• Senior LB Wesley Robinson (Spartanburg, S.C.) led the defense with nine tackles
• Senior DE Kelvin Atkins (Columbia, S.C.) finished with seven tackles, including two for loss
• Sophomore LB Tallon Campbell (Cheraw, S.C.) added six tackles and two fumble recoveries
• Freshman DB Jansen Twigg (Acworth, Ga.) tallied seven tackles, a forced fumble and a pick
• Limestone recorded 335 yards of total offense, but only had 133 yards in the first half
• The defense forced four turnovers, but gave up a season-worse 525 yards of offense

 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
First Quarter
 
The Saints won the toss and elected to receive, but the offense quickly went three-and-out after picking up just three yards. However, a roughing the kicker call on Mars Hill would keep the drive alive for Limestone, and it capitalized a few plays later with a Patton 3-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 early.
 
Limestone forced a turnover on downs on the first drive by the Lions, highlighted by a tackle for loss from Atkins and Robinson, but three straight incompletions by the offense, including a potential touchdown, put the defense back on the field. Mars Hill then tied things up at 7-all late in the first behind a 92-yard drive.
 
Second Quarter
 
Limestone looked to have something working after starting its first possession of the quarter at its own 4-yard line when Phillip hits senior Shyheim Perry (Sumter, S.C.) for a 40-yard gain on first down. However, Mars Hill grabbed its first of three interceptions before moving in front, 14-7, with a 2-play, 43-yard drive.
 
The Saints went three-and-out on the ensuing possession before Mars Hill went 55 yards on just three plays to take a 21-7 advantage. Limestone again was unable to do anything on offense, recording another three-and-out, giving the ball back to Mars Hill with plenty of time to put the game out of reach.
 
The Blue and Gold came up big on defense though as a botched snap was recovered by freshman DE Devante Allen (Cincinnati, Ohio) at the Limestone 2-yard line. The Saints managed just 133 yards of offense in the first half – 65 yards coming on team's only scoring drive and then one 40-yard play.
 
Third Quarter
 
Limestone came out of the locker room fired up as the defense promptly forced a three-and-out, setting up the offense at the visitors 40. Patton and Phillips combined for 26 yards on back-to-back runs before Phillips found a wide-open Scott in the back of the end zone from 18-yards out to cut the lead to 21-14.
 
The defense would force another turnover on downs at the Limestone 34-yard line, but the offense was unable to take advantage as Phillips threw an interception along the visiting sideline. However, the defense once again came up big as Allen forced a fumble that Campbell would jump on at the LC 30.
 
Four plays later, the Saints tied the game at 21-all with 5:07 remaining in third when Phillips found a streaking Brown down the visiting sideline for a 59-yard score. The Lions responded on their next possession, moving the ball 50 yards on 13 plays to regain the lead, 28-21, at the end of the third.
 
Fourth Quarter
 
After both teams exchanged possessions to start the fourth, the defense came up with its fourth turnover of the day as Twigg knocked the ball loose and Campbell came up with the loose ball. Patton then rushed three straight times, including a 45-yard run, before tying the game at 28 with his second TD of the day.
 
Mars Hill again responded the next time it had the ball, moving 64 yards on eight plays to move back in front, 35-28, while also chewing a critical 4:01 off the clock. Limestone got the ball back with 3:17 remaining, but a sack and the third interception of the afternoon all but sealed the contest for the Lions.  
 
TURNING POINT
 
Limestone rallied from a 21-7 halftime deficit with two touchdown drives in the third, and would again force a tie ballgame midway through the fourth. However, the Lions moved the ball 64 yards for the go-ahead score late before coming up with the biggest defensive stop of the day to hold off the Saints.
 
NOTABLES
 

• Limestone finished with just 15 first downs while going 3-of-14 on third down
• The Saints compiled 198 yards through the air against the league's worse pass defense
• The Blue and Gold now has the worse ranked pass defense after giving up 329 yards
• Patton registered his third 100-yard game of the season, and the eighth of his career
• He tied his own program single-season record with his eighth touchdown of the year
• Scott hauled in his fifth touchdown reception of the season, good for fifth all-time in team history

 
UP NEXT
 
The Saints will have another tough matchup next weekend as they return home to take on nationally 8^th-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday, October 26 at The Reservation at Gaffney High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.