LOUISVILLE, Ky. – History was inevitable on Saturday night for the Bellarmine sprint football team.  Simply taking the field was an accomplishment.  But history is sweeter when accompanied by victory. 
 
In their first ever game as a program, Bellarmine defeated Midway 17-15 in dramatic fashion on Saturday night.  Ben Valle's 33-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining propelled the Knights to a win and helped them capture "The Bourbon Barrel".
 
"It was good to get the win, but we have a lot of work to do on both sides of the ball," Head Coach Harold Davis said.  "I'm really proud of our team for continuing to work until the end of the game."
 
Saturday's contest started slow for both teams – neither able to produce a drive longer than 35 yards in the first eight possessions.  Two of Bellarmine's initial four drives ended in a turnover, while the first four Midway drives ended in a turnover on downs.  Despite entering the Bellarmine red zone on four consecutive drives, Midway was unable to score heading late into the first half.
 
The Knights then proceeded to put together their first-ever scoring drive starting with just over 10 minutes left in the half.  A Devan Hendricks 10-yard run and 15-yard Midway facemask penalty jump-started the charge.  Later on third down and 16 from the Bellarmine 42, quarterback Dylan Gough connected with running back Brenden Reid for a 17 yard gain and a first down into Eagles territory.  The Gough-Reid combination came up big again on fourth and seven from the 28, as Gough found Reid for a 23-yard pick-up.  After a false start, Gough tossed the first Bellarmine touchdown to Brock Snead from 10 yards out.  Valle tacked on the extra point and the Knights led 7-0 after the 90-yard drive lasting 6:16.
 
Midway answered, however, with a three minute touchdown drive of its own.  D.J. Palmer zipped a pass to Ja'Shawn Lee for a 32-yard score to pull Midway within one point.  Connor Cook missed the extra point though, keeping the Eagles behind 7-6.
 
Bellarmine's offense kept its groove and a big play grew the Bellarmine lead just before halftime.  On third and 15 from the Bellarmine 47, Reid scampered 53 yards for a touchdown with just 19 seconds remaining in the half.  It marked the longest play of the day for either team.  After another extra point knocked through by Valle, Bellarmine led 14-6. 
 
Midway's final efforts at the end of the half proved unsuccessful as Devan Hendricks recorded one of his two interceptions on the night.
 
The start of the third quarter swung the momentum back to Midway as they recovered a fumbled punt and cashed in with a 31-yard touchdown throw from Palmer to Penther Alphonse.  The Eagles went for a two-point conversion to try and tie the game – the try failed and Midway stayed behind 14-12.
 
Play then got sloppy in the third quarter with three consecutive fumbles – two from Bellarmine and one from Midway.  Jordan Haywood forced the Midway fumble and Michael Miller recovered for the Knights. 
 
After the a fumble recovery for the Eagles at the Bellarmine 25 with just over three minutes remaining in the third, Bellarmine's defense held strong forcing a field goal try.  Cook knocked it through from 31 yards out to give Midway a 15-14 lead. 
 
Bellarmine proceeded to punt, and on the ensuing Midway drive, just before the end of the third quarter, Louinel Plaisir intercepted a tipped pass and returned the pick 57 yards to the Midway 21 yard line.  Bellarmine had great field position to start the fourth quarter but couldn't cash in as Midway forced a turnover on downs. 
 
Both teams traded punts before Midway forced a Bellarmine fumble at midfield and ran the ball back inside the Knights' 10 yard line with under nine minutes to play.  Instead of expanding a 15-14 lead, however, Palmer threw his third interception of the game.  Hendricks read the pass beautifully at the goal line and snatched his second interception of the day, running it out to the Bellarmine seven yard line. 
 
The Knights drove into Midway territory, but Midway claimed its second interception of the game.  Bellarmine's defense held, and the Knights took over at the Midway 29 after a poor punt with just four minutes remaining.  Bellarmine pushed forward for one first down but stalled at the Midway 16, setting up the decisive kick.  Valle sent the ball through the uprights with 44 seconds remaining to give Bellarmine a 17-15 edge. 
 
Midway never got past the 50 yard line on its final drive, and the Knights celebrated their first victory as a program.
 
Bellarmine out-gained Midway 293-222 in total offense.  The Knights had a significant edge on the ground with 128 yards compared to 44 for the Eagles. 
 
Gough threw for 165 yards and a touchdown, while Reid led Bellarmine with 94 yards on the ground and 72 yards receiving.  Hendricks rushed for 62 yards along with his two interceptions on defense.  Plaisir, Haywood, and Royce Hall were all credited with sacks for the Knights.  Hendricks had a team-best nine tackles and three pass break-ups, while Tavius Francis had three pass break-ups as well. 
 
Bellarmine will play at home for the first time next Saturday as they host Fontbonne at Saint Xavier High School in Louisville.  Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., and the action can be viewed on BU Knights Sports Network.
 
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