Greenville, S.C. – Presbyterian's Nathan Levicki made a diving catch on a two-point conversion pass from Collin Hurst in overtime to help the Blue Hose stun Furman, 39-38, in overtime Saturday afternoon at Paladin Stadium.
 
After Furman grabbed a 38-31 advantage on Jayquan Smith's two-yard touchdown to begin overtime, Hurst connected with Levicki on a three-yard touchdown toss in the back of the endzone to bring the Blue Hose within one point. Presbyterian elected to go for two and flooded the right side of the field while Levicki snuck free and made a diving, over-the-shoulder catch to secure the 39-38 verdict.
 
The Blue Hose (2-0) trailed 31-14 before Hurst led an 11-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a three-yard touchdown pass to Zach Switzer to trim the deficit to 31-21 with 5:10 to go in the third quarter. Presbyterian's defense turned in three consecutive stops of the Paladins and the Blue Hose advanced to the Furman eight yardline with 6:45 remaining when the game was halted by a lightning delay.
 
Following the nearly two-hour delay, Furman's defense forced a 25-yard Jett Jackson field goal attempt that brought PC within 31-24 with 6:25 to go. With Furman facing third down at its own 31, Presbyterian's Carter Szydlowski scooped up a CJ Nettles fumble and rumbled to the Paladin 12 yardline. BJ Atkins made a lunging grab in the corner of the end zone from Hurt on the first play of the drive to knot the game at 31-31 with 4:38 left. The Paladins and Blue Hose each came up empty on their final possession of the game to force overtime.
 
Furman got the ball first in the extra period and Smith carried the ball four times for 19 yards, including a two-yard go-ahead run to put the Paladins in front before Hurst and Levicki's overtime heroics.
 
Hurst finished 26-of-41 through the air for 275 yards and five touchdowns while Levicki hauled in six passes for 60 yards and two scores. The Blue Hose held Furman to just 370 yards of offense, including only 96 yards following the halftime break.
 
Gavin Hall rushed for a pair of first-half touchdowns as the Paladins raced out to a 28-14 lead at the half. Quarterback Trey Hedden completed 29-of-40 passes for 263 yards and one touchdown for the Paladins. Both teams were guilty of three turnovers, highlighted by two interceptions from Furman's Billy Lewis.
 
Furman (1-1) returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Buies Creek, N.C., to face the Campbell Camels at 3:30 p.m.
 
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