ROME — All night, Shorter University fought to get out of an early hole and pull off a Thursday night upset against Valdosta State.

But on the cusp of a tie game, the Hawks saw opportunity slip through their fingers.

Junior fullback B.J. McCoy rushed for a single game school-record 256 yards and the Hawks’ offense put together 520 yards, but senior receiver Cody Simpson dropped a potential game-tying touchdown on fourth down late in the game as Shorter lost to the Blazers, 37-22, at Barron Stadium.

“It hurts, really hurts. It’s like a dagger to the heart,” Shorter head coach Phil Jones said. “It really is hard to see when the kids play like they did. They played their hearts out, just as hard as they could.”

The Hawks could not contain Valdosta State senior quarterback E.J. Hilliard, a player who has split some snaps this season with freshman Roland Rivers.

But it was Hilliard’s night, throwing two touchdowns and gaining 211 total yards. Senior running back Cedric O’Neal also tallied 191 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

The loss takes away from McCoy’s record-breaking night, which is also the 10th most rushing yards in Gulf South Conference history. Remarkably, 252 of his 256 rushing yards came in the final three quarters.

The Hawks also benefitted from backup quarterback Devante James, playing with Aaron Bryant out with a concussion. The sophomore gained 206 total yards and a rushing touchdown.

“I just came out and the coaches did a good job drawing a game plan for me,” James said. “I came out and did what was asked and just played my game.”

The game featured 36 of its 59 points scored in the fourth quarter, as both teams appeared to figure out defensive schemes and light up the scoreboard. The final quarter included two Shorter runs of more than 80 yards and both of O’Neal’s touchdowns.

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