MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry College football team fell 28-14 to the Centre College Colonels in a shocking upset on Saturday afternoon at Valhalla Stadium.
The game started off slow as the Vikings offense was plagued by multiple dropped passes and an ineffective running game on their first few possessions. The Colonels had an early chance to get on the board with a field goal but missed as the game remained scoreless with 8:21 to go in the first. The Vikings offense still couldn't get anything going on the next drive while the Colonels would break through on their next drive to take a 6-0 lead at then end of the first.
The Vikings were unable to get anything going to start the second and on fourth down the Colonels would block a punt and return it for another touchdown to stretch their lead to 13-0. Things then went from bad to worse for the Vikings as the Colonels would extend their lead to 20-0 with 11:33 to go in the half. The Colonels would miss another field goal later in the half while the Vikings finally looked to find some momentum before halftime. Andrew Hunter would drive the team down the field to the Colonels two yard line but with no time on the clock left the Vikings failed to convert as they trailed 20-0 at the half.
The Vikings didn't give up as they looked to rebound to start the third quarter moving the ball down to the Centre 39 but they were unable to convert a 4th and 1 as they turned it over on downs. The Vikings defense meanwhile did a good job of keeping the Colonels off the board as they looked to give the offense a chance. The offense would finally find success with 3:50 to go as they marched down the field and would finally score a one yard touchdown run by Hunter to make it 20-7 at the end of the third.Â
Feeling the momentum the Vikings defense got a big stop on the next possession while the offense marched the ball down to the Colonels 29 yard line. Unfortunately Hunter was picked off and the ball was returned for a touchdown as the Vikings trailed 28-7 with 11:32 to go. The Vikings would bounce back on their next drive as they went on a 16 play 75 yard drive ending in a Silas Risper touchdown catch to make it 28-14 with 6:22 left. The Vikings defense would force a quick three and out on the next possession but the offense was unable to take advantage as the Vikings suffered their first home loss of the year.
The Vikings will look to bounce back as they travel to Jackson, MS to take on the Millsaps College Majors on Saturday, November 7 at 1:00 PM.
