ADRIAN, Mich. - The football team suffered their first loss of the 2021 fall season with a 41-28 defeat at the hands of Adrian.
The Panthers ended the game with advantages in number of first downs (24-22) and total offense (420-417), but a touchdown on an interception return by Adrian in the first quarter was key to their victory.
Adrian opened with a touchdown in the first quarter with 5:38 to go and picked up their defensive touchdown on Greenville's ensuing possession for a 14-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, Chase Butterfield connected with Matthew Tiger on a seven yard touchdown pass that made the score 14-7.
On Adrian's next possession, the Bulldogs scored a touchdown with 5:13 remaining, and the Panthers answered with a nine-play 75-yard drive, capped by an 11 yard touchdown run by Paul Garrett with 1:50 to go in the half. Greenville trailed 28-14 at halftime.
GU opened the second half with possession and went 58 yards in six plays, but they challenged Adrian by attempting to convert a 4th-and-2 from the AC11 and came up a yard short.
Adrian regained possession, adding another touchdown with nine minutes left in the third quarter for a 35-14 lead.
Garrett capped the Panthers next possession with a seven yard touchdown run, making the score 35-21 going into the fourth quarter.
The Bulldogs ran for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter for a 41-21 lead, failing to convert the point-after attempt, and the Panthers held them scoreless the rest of the way.
Greenville quickly responded to Adrian's touchdown with another Butterfield touchdown pass. This time Butterfield and Robert Regans hooked up for a 14 yard pass and tightened the score to 41-28.
Butterfield finished 19-for-31 passing for 234 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Garrett ran the ball 23 times for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Delrey Crowder was GU's leading receiver with four catches for 61 yards, and Tiger added four receptions for 55 yards.
Lakari Benjamin compiled 11 tackles on defense, and Lorenzo Ware was right behind Benjamin with 10 tackles.
The Panthers (2-1) travel to Trinity International for a game next Saturday against the alma mater of head coach Robbie Schomaker.
