Presbyterian College came out of halftime with a vengeance to win the Bailey Memorial Stadium opener, 48-17 over Virginia University of Lynchburg, on Saturday afternoon.

A lightning delay seemed to zing the Dragons, who gave up a 28-point run after a pause of an hour, 77 minutes. The Blue Hose led, 20-10, at halftime.

Sophomore quarterback Tyler Wesley passed for 240 yards – 14/22 with three touchdowns – and rushed or 67 on nine carries as the Blue Hose ended a 10-game skid that began a week after defeating VUL, 21-13, almost exactly a year earlier.

Presbyterian (1-1) piled up 26 first downs and 534 yards.

Virginia of Lynchburg (0-2), a private HBCU, lost its first game by 32 points (Carson-Newman, 35-3) and its second by 31.

PC quarterbacks Wesley and Ty Englehart combined to connect with nine different receivers. Jordan Irizarry caught five for 93 yards, and Dominic Kibby and Worth Warner each hauled in three.

Irizarry equaled his career-best 39 yards on a reception twice. Kibby, Cincere Gill and Dylan Boone each scored via Wesley passes.

Caleb Francis cashed in an interception of C.J. Brooks for a 32-yard touchdown with a minute to go in the first half. PC scored a pair of TDs in a span of 16 seconds, igniting the breakaway to come.

The Blue Hose defense turned in seven sacks, six inflicted on Brooks and the other on Langston Stewart. Presbyterian hasn’t turned in as many since nine Gardner-Webb passers fell in 2010.

The defense held VUL to a field goal after its only turnover, a Wesley fumble.

In response, Wesley led the Blue Hose on a drive that consumed 6:34, culminating in a Mack Mikko’s second field goal, a 22-yarder with 1:16 to go in the half. Mikko’s third try was blocked early in the fourth quarter.

The Dragons briefly got with three points when Ronald Stephens cashed in a blocked punt with 13:13 left in the third quarter.

After the thunder and lightning dissipated, Presbyterian embarked on four straight touchdown drives, two via Wesley passes and one by Englehart, as well as Wesley’s one-yard dive.

The Blue Hose’ 227 net yards rushing were their highest total in four years, and Lynchburg totaled only a net eight, thanks mostly to the sacks.

VUL’s Brooks completed 10/22 passes for 64 yards. Quicy Gage caught four for 39 yards.

A short trip to Spartanburg figures to be a stern test, though Wofford (0-2) fell to fourth-ranked William & Mary, 23-6, on Saturday. The Terriers have won the past seven meetings with PC.

As an aside, after two games, Presbyterian and its opponents have both scored 58 points.

Examine a copy of the game stats here.

At least one story has been posted here for 18 consecutive days. Please support the advertisers who make it all possible.

I could still use some help. The site is free for readers but gets by on the advertising and support from readers who enjoy the coverage it provides. Make a contribution by sending a check to DHK Sports, P.O. Box 768, Clinton, S.C. 29325 or by making a monthly contribution at Patreon.

Another way I can derive some revenue is if you purchase my books at MonteDutton.net.