CLINTON, Miss. --- Mississippi College fell to North Greenville Saturday by a final of 41-19 to begin Gulf South Conference play.

MC Struck first struck first on a 12 play 86 yard drive that lasted 7:15 seconds, as running back Cole Fagan punched it in from 1-yard out to give MC a 6-0 lead.

North Greenville answered on a 3:18 drive of eight plays, 65 yards, as the Crusaders tied up at 6-6 with 4:21 on the clock in the first quarter.

NGU took a 13-6 lead in the second quarter or a 7-yard run by running back EJ Humphrey, as the Crusaders took a one touchdown lead with three minutes to go until the break.

In the third quarter North Greenville took a 20-6 lead on a 1-yard run, taking a two possession lead over the Choctaws.

A nine play, 75-yard touchdown drive resulted in a 4-yard touchdown run by quarterback DeAnte Smith-Moore as Mississippi College pulled within one touchdown, 20-13, with six minutes and five seconds left on the clock in the third quarter.

One minute into the start of the fourth quarter North Greenville recovered a two-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown, as the Crusaders regained a two possession lead, 27-13.

With three minutes left to go in action, Mississippi College punched it in once again on a 5-yard touchdown run by Cole Fagan, as a Choctaws made it a 27-19 score.

The Choctaws onside kick attempt was recovered and returned by the Crusaders for a 47-yard touchdown kickoff return, as the Crusaders went ahead 34-19.

One minute later, with two minutes and three seconds left to go in action, the Crusaders utilized a 55 yard touchdown run to go ahead 41-19.

North Greenville went on the win by final score of 41-19, as Mississippi College fell to 1-2 overall and 1-1 in GSC play.

Mississippi College was led by DeAnte Smith-Moore with 22 rushing attempts for 86 yards and one touchdown. Smith-Moore also completed 3-of-13 passing attempts for 33 yards.

Cole Fagan had nine rushing attempts for 72 yards, two touchdowns, while averaging 8.0 yards per carry. The Choctaws finished with 291 rushing yards on 58 rushing attempts for an average of 5.0 rushing yards per attempt.

The Choctaws return on the road next Saturday, September 24, as they take on Division I opponent, McNeese State, in Lake Charles, La. beginning at 7 pm at Cowboy Stadium.