WILSON, N.C. – The Barton College Football Team (0-1) played for the first time in 71 years and fell to Erskine (1-0) in this historic contest by a close, 30-28 score Saturday afternoon at Electric Supply Company Field and Truist Stadium. Barton, under Head Coach
Chip Hester, was playing the college's first gridiron game since 1950 (then Atlantic Christian).
Barton freshman quarterback
Tyler Flippen (Summerfield, N.C.) caught a touchdown pass from freshman wide receiver
Kameron Johnson (Rocky Mount, N.C.) on the game's first play from 58 yards out to excite the crowd while Flippen added a touchdown pass and a touchdown rush but Erskine was able to hold off the Bulldogs in the end for the win.
Erskine quarterback Craig Pender (Barnwell, S.C.) threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns including a 26-yard toss to Senika McKie (Columbia, S.C) with 8:47 remaining in the contest to give the Flying Fleet a nine-point edge. Flippen scored from 11 yards out with just under two minutes left but the Bulldogs failed to recover the on-side kick in the setback.
Erskine's Senika McKie (Columbia, S.C.) finished with 10 catches for 111 yards and a touchdown while Javian Bellamy (Columbia, S.C.) added seven catches for 103 yards and a score as well to lead the Flying Fleet's aerial attack. For Barton, sophomore
Dionte Osbey (Anderson, S.C.) led the way on the defensive side of the ball with 10 tackles and three sacks while redshirt freshman running back
Jordan Terrell (Ramseur, N.C.) scored twice for the Bulldogs.
Barton remains at home to take on national-power Wingate on Saturday, March 13, beginning at 4:00 p.m., while Erskine faces Edwards Waters beginning at 1:00 p.m.