GREENWOOD — It’s not every Saturday a college football team wins both its 11th straight against a nearby rival … and also its first in 73 years.
Perhaps more explanation is needed concerning Presbyterian’s 31-14 victory over Erskine, a college that abandoned football for almost 70 years. The Blue Hose lead the series, 30-2-1.
Senior Zach Switzer, Spring Hill, Tenn., product amassed 229 all-purpose yards on at J.W. Babb Stadium, allowing the Presbyterian College football team to continue its ancestral dominance.
Switzer was the star of the show for head coach Steve Englehart’s club, scoring on a 67-yard reception and a 90-yard kick return. Redshirt freshman Collin Hurst, from Davie, Fla., started at quarterback for the Blue Hose, completing 9/16 passes for 201 yards two scores.
PC ran up 385 yards in total offense.
“We played with a tough mindset in a very physical, grind-it-out type of game,” stated PC head coach Steve Englehart. “Our guys ran the ball extremely well, which opened up our passing game a bit and created a comfortable lead for the majority of the night.
“All wins are great team wins, and I’m proud of the way we fought all game to make big plays in all three facets of the game.”
Senior linebacker Alex Herriott moved into third place in tackles since PC’s move to FCS, surpassing Jarrett Nagy and Justin Bethel.
Junior Nathan Hajduk made nine tackles and his first career interception. Zeb Stroup’s third-quarter interception was his first.
Hurst, subbing for injured Ty Englehart, completed 56 percent of his throws, combining for 120 yards on two completions (the Switzer score and a 53-yard lob to Nathan Levicki).
Carter Szydlowski set the tone early for the PC front with a 3rd-down sack Flying Fleet signal-caller Craig Pender, leading to Switzer’s 67-yard sprint only five snaps later.
The majority of the first quarter was carried by defense as the Blue Hose never let Erskine past midfield.
Ahead 7-0 after one, Presbyterian (1-1) boosted the lead to 14 after capitalizing on a fumbled punt. Long snapper Dixon Musgrove recovered the loose ball at the nine-yard line, setting up Cincere Gill’s second-straight game with a TD that happened with 13:38 to go the half.
The Flying Fleet was able to score with just over four minutes left in the second, converting two fourth-down situations and a third-and-10 in a touchdown drive that ate up 5:19.
Switzer responded with his 90-yard kickoff return.
Stroup’s interception spoiled Erskine’s first series of the third quarter.
A shanked Erskine punt afforded the Blue Hose another opportunity, and freshman running back Justin Montgomery raced 19 yards to the end zone.
PC cruised from that point.
Erskine’s second scoring ran 16 plays and nine minutes on the clock.
Sophomore Mack Mikko completed the scoring with a 23-yard field goal.
The PC defense limited Erskine (1-1) to 72 net yards on the ground. Passing was about even. The Blue Hose threw for 201 yards, all by Hurst (9/16, two TDs). Pender was 22/38, two TDs and as many interceptions, for 197 yards.
Presbyterian’s next three games are at Bailey Memorial Stadium with Virginia of Lynchburg (0-2) taking on PC Saturday at 1 p.m.
Take a look at the stats here.
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