Rocky Mount, N.C. - The N.C. Wesleyan football program fell in its conference opener to Belhaven on Saturday 35-14. With a fantastic first half, which saw the Bishops lead 7-0, Belhaven would close the gap and take control in the fourth quarter. A long drive on Wesleyan's second drive would end with a two yard TD run by Anthony Byrd for the first rushing TD of the season.

The defense would continue its tenacity against the Blazers, holding Belhaven to only 14 points at the half, only trailing by seven going into the break. Ronechie Carter and Charles Sias continue to be a headache for offenses combining for seventeen tackles on the afternoon and a forced fumble. The duo would also hold Belhaven to 130 yards passing, which is a season best for a defense which is one of the best in the USA South.

Offensively, Wesleyan's passing game would have the most productive game of the season, with Zachary Marquis passing the ball for 273 yards, and a touchdown on the game's final drive. Javarion Smith and Christian Drumgoole would both have over 65 yards receiving in the game with Smith having a 53 yard reception on the first offensive sequence of the game.

Game Notes: 

• Wesleyan would rush for over 100 yards for the first time this season, including a season high 52 yards by Anthony Byrd.
• The Battling Bishop defense would swarm to the ball and crush the Belhaven option attack. A team that runs a lot of I-formation sets on first and second down, the Battling Bishop defense held a trio of Blazer quarterbacks to 34 yards rushing.

Up Next:

The Battling Bishops would hit the road to LaGrange, Georgia next Saturday to take on the Panthers at  1:00. Wesleyan will go for back-to-back wins against the Panthers and its first conference win