Carrollton, GA - One look at the score would indicate an offensive shootout, but a wild game between the West Georgia Wolves and Miles Golden Bears Saturday night went the way of the Bears, as UM handed a heartbreaking 44-37 loss to UWG.

The loss was the first of the season for the Wolves. It was close, however, as a UWG incomplete pass on 4th-and-3 from the MIles 13 with 44 seconds left in the game was the final meaningful play as the game went down to the wire.

The first half was a whirlwind of activity, as the two teams combined for more than 400 yards of offense and 43 points in the opening 30 minutes.

Miles struck first in the game after UWG kicker #Mark Bardenwerper#'s kickoff went eight yards deep in the end zone, giving the Bears the ball at their own 25. One reverse pass later and the Wolves trailed 7-0 less than 15 seconds into the ball game.

The Miles defense also came ready to play, forcing a three-and-out, but the Bears' punt returner fumbled the ball, which was recovered by UWG punter #Davis Brackett#, giving the Wolves' offense new life. The Wolves drove to the Miles 24, but the drive stalled and West Georgia settled for a 41-yard field goal from Brackett.

The UWG defense forced a quick three-and-out, forcing the Miles offense backward on the first two plays, including a sack from senior defensive tackle #Juan Pickett#. The Wolves' drive was solid again, but stalled out on the MIles 24 and Brackett kicked another 41-yard field goal.

Miles quarterback David Thomas shook off the cobwebs and put together a solid drive, marching straight down the field and scoring on a rush from Johnson-Parker. After another UWG field goal, the Wolves were within five at 14-9, but a 94-yard kickoff return for a touchdown pushed the Bears back out to a two-score advantage at 20-9.

The Wolves mounted a drive to answer and did so very well on the ground, as #Dallas Dickey# and #David Bailey# moved West Georgia down inside the five. After several tries, Dickey took a four-yard plunge for the score. The PAT from Brackett was good and the Wolves trailed 20-16 with two minutes left in the half.

But Thomas was on fire and drove the Bears back down the field, scoring with 20 seconds left in the half to put Miles up 27-16 heading into the locker room at the break.

The second half was just as crazy, as the Wolves stormed back, using a powerful rushing attack and opportunistic defense to take the lead with 10 minutes to go in the game. Until that point, Dickey had a rushing touchdown as did #Quan Jones# and then #Darien Lane# intercepted Thomas, returning the pick for a touchdown.

It seemed, at that point, that momentum was all on the side of the West Georgia Wolves. But another breakdown on special teams happened and the PAT was blocked and returned for a two-point conversion, breathing life back into the MIles sideline. Thomas used that momentum and drove the Bears back down for what would become the game-winning score.

The Wolves drove back down and #Austin Trainor#, who was 24-of-36 for 216 yards, came up just short on a pass to #Bobby Burum# on that fourth down play that ended the game. Burum was stellar in the absence of two starting receivers, hauling in a career-high eight receptions for 107 yards in the game.

Both teams had 421 yards total in the game, with West Georgia picking up 249 yards through the air and 172 yards on the ground. #Seth Hinsley# had 18 carries for 87 yards to lead the UWG rushing attack.

West Georgia falls to 2-1 on the year and is off next week with Gulf South Conference competition beginning on October 29 against West Alabama.