COLUMBIA, Ky. - The Lindsey Wilson football team lost to No. 6 Bethel (Tenn.) 21-16 on Saturday afternoon at Parnell Family Stadium in a game that came down to the final play. The loss is the Blue Raiders against a Mid-South Conference opponent after winning their previous 28 straight games.

Lindsey Wilson drove all the way to the Bethel eight yard line, failing to convert with just 11 seconds left to play on fourth and goal. Ethan Cash tossed a fade route to the corner of the endzone looking for Logan Collier but the play was broken up.

Trailing 21-13, Lindsey Wilson used Sauter's third field goal of the day to pull within five points of the Wildcats. The made attempt by Sauter with 3:31 remaining turned out to be the final points for Lindsey Wilson.

The Blue Raiders needed a big defensive stop for a chance to win the game, forcing the Bethel offense to go three-and-out with just over three minutes remaining. The effort resulted in a punt and optimal field position for Lindsey Wilson.

Lindsey Wilson racked up 495 yards of total offense in the game. Kobe Belcher was the workhorse in the contest, totaling 166 rushing yards on 27 attempts netting an impressive 6.1 yards-per-carry.

Luke Bowman led all Blue Raiders with 10 tackles as his 327 career tackles is a new program record. The Blue Raider defense limited Bethel to just 182 yards, as Michael Leslie and Darius Hylick both forced fumbles.

Cash completed 20-of-42 passes for 220 yards. He surpassed 1,000 career passing yards in his career. Manny Scott finished the game with a team leading 78 receiving yards on eight catches.

The Wildcats opened up the scoring after polishing off a 16 play, nine minute and 28 second drive when Kegan Huddleston rushed it in for an eight yard score. Lindsey Wilson tried to respond on their opening drive, but an Ian Sauter field goal attempt was blocked by Jaylon Sanders.

Following a Wildcat punt, Sauter had another chance to put three up on the board from 37 yards, but this attempt sailed wide right. This didn't deter the Blue Raiders as Darius Hylick forced a fumble, giving Lindsey Wilson possession deep in the Wildcat territory. Lindsey Wilson used only three plays on the ensuing drive to tie the game at seven. Jbias Dawson scampered for three yards capping the drive off.

The Blue Raiders defense stood tall, forcing another Bethel punt. On the next drive for Lindsey Wilson, Cash had a pass go through the hands of his intended receiver, resulting in an interception for the Wildcats. The Bethel possession didn't last long, as the next play resulted in a forced fumble by Leslie for the Blue Raiders.

Lindsey Wilson marched down to the Bethel red zone, running the clock down to one second for a field goal attempt hoping to put them up three points going into the half. Sauter's field goal hit the right upright, pinning the game at seven at halftime

Out of the half, Lindsey Wilson led a 14 play, 5:18 drive into Bethel territory, resulting in a Sauter field goal attempt which this time was good. The ensuing kickoff was returned by Demetrice Gilbert 96 yards for the score, putting Bethel back in the lead.

Lindsey Wilson led a march down to the Bethel red zone, but a trick play gone wrong concluded the drive when Cash pass was ruled a lateral to an open field. The play was eventually corralled by the Wildcats resulting in an 85 yard scoop and score.

The Blue Raiders used nine plays to set up another Sauter field goal attempt from 47 yards, which flew through the middle of the uprights, putting the game at 21-13 and cutting into the Wildcat lead.

The Lindsey Wilson football team will be back in action on the road against Pikeville (Ky.) at Hambley Athletic Complex on Nov. 5 at 12:30 p.m. CT