Ramtastic Start for BU Football in 2023
Football season is here at Bluefield University, and the Rams have opened the season 2-0 (as of 09-02-23) with wins over Florida Memorial University and Campbellsville University, generating a lot of optimism for a promising 2023 season.
The Rams have enjoyed the early success in large part due to a prolific offense that is scoring 42 points per game under the leadership of returning quarterback Nathan Herstich.
In the first game against Florida Memorial, BU had a comeback victory with Herstich scoring a go-ahead rushing touchdown with just 25 seconds left in the game. An interception by cornerback Nehemiah Carter helped seal the game and perserve the Rams 50-47 win. In that game, wide receiver Thomas Lee had five receptions for 220 yards and two touchdowns, including a clutch catch on fourth down that kept the Rams’ winning touchdown drive alive.
“It was a crazy feeling,” Lee said about his fourth down catch. “I think the fourth down catch at the end of the game was one of the most clutch moments in my life.”
Lee’s heroics earned him the Appalachian Athletic Conference Player of the Week honor on offense, but defensively, the Rams shined, as well, with three interceptions and a forced fumble. One interception by Tyrese Wolfe was a 90-yard pick-six, which was the longest returned interception in AAC history.
The Rams earned a 34-21 win over Campbellsville in the second game of the year. The win over the Tigers was BU’s first in the series as Campbellsville had won the three previous games dating back to 2012. BU started the game with a one-play 48-yard touchdown pass from Herstich en route to a 17-7 halftime lead. Running back Cortarius Gilmore would score a touchdown in the third quarter, his second of the game, to give BU its largest lead at 24-7. The Rams would lead again by 17 early in the fourth, 31-14, after running back Cadene Lampp rushed five yards for a touchdown. Kicker Riley Stubbs nailed his second field goal of the game late fourth quarter to register the final score, 34-21.
“We have a lot of returners and some new guys that have come and really caught on quickly and really have helped our team,” said head coach Dewey Lusk about the early success of the BU football team. “The defense is well improved and playing a lot better. We have won the special teams battle in both games, as well.”
With those two wins, the Rams are in first place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference and received votes in the most recent NAIA national poll. The team will hit the road for the first time this season with a trip to Bethel University on September 16. Bethel is ranked number seven in the nation.
Photos by Rampage student photographer Nathen LePere.