BREVARD, N.C. - The Brevard College football team (0-1) kicked off the 2025 season on Saturday afternoon at Ives-Lemel Family Field, dropping a 41-20 result to visiting Kentucky Christian University (1-0).
 
Brevard scored the first 20 points of the contest through the first quarter and a half, but KCU answered back a in big way. The Knights found the end zone on consecutive drives to close the half out, and after the lengthy lightning delay scored on the first play from scrimmage to tie the contest at 20 apiece.
 
The Knights then scored another touchdown in one play on their ensuing drive to take a 27-20 lead. Another touchdown pass for KCU put the visitors up by two scores, and a fateful pick-six sealed the deal in favor of the Knights.
 
BC starting quarterback Ethan Beamish threw for three first-half touchdown passes, but was stifled by the KCU defense in the second. Making his first appearance for the varsity squad, Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel rushed for 48 yards on 14 carries while adding 16 yards with two catches and his first collegiate touchdown reception. Reggie Taylor II led all BC receivers with three catches for 49 yards, while Jordan Barnett and Jadien Deaton also hauled in scores.
 
Making his collegiate debut, freshman defensive back DJ Stevenson made nine tackles - seven of which solo - to lead all Tornados. Preseason D3football.com All-American Robert Dorsey added eight stops (four solo, four assisted) with a sack. Dre Burton picked off a pass in the first quarter, picking up right where he left off in last season's finale where he notched an interception at KCU.
 
Jackson Wasik impressed for the Knights, going 22-for-31 with 229 yards and three touchdowns through the air, while also rushing for 67 yards and scoring a touchdown with his legs. Jamareon Dale added 59 yards on the ground, while Jailen Briscoe, Jason Cobb, and Jordan West all hauled down touchdown receptions.
 
Dashawn Webster roamed all over the field for the Knights, racking up 11 total tackles (10 solo) with a whopping four tackles-for-loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. Ja'Tarius Randolph ran back the critical pick-six, while Jalen Myers also forced a fumble for the Knights.
 
KCU outgained Brevard 346-to-166 in total offense, gaining 24 first downs compared to BC's 10. The Knights gained 117 yards on the ground and, behind Wasik's strong play, totaled 229 yards through the air.
 
The Tornados will look to move past their season-opening defeat as Brevard competes in its lone NCAA DIII non-conference contest next Saturday as BC travels to The University of the South for a 2 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. CT kickoff in Sewanee, Tennessee.
 
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