WISE - - Visiting Barton broke open a tie game at the half by outscoring UVA Wise 16-0 in the third quarter en route to a 40-20 win in the South Atlantic Conference football opener for both schools at Smith Stadium Saturday.

The two schools traded turnovers on their opening drives of the second half as Barton's (2-1, 1-0 SAC) Jay Wheeler and UVA Wise's (1-2, 0-1 SAC) Robert Carter each intercepted passes in the opening moments of the third quarter. Carter's interception was his second of the day and came in the end zone to keep the game knotted at the halftime score of 14-14.

Barton and UVA Wise would trade punts on the next two possessions before the Bulldog defense gave the visitors a lead they would not relinquish.

With the Cavs pinned inside their own 10-yard line after a punt, J.L. Ledbetter sacked Lendon Redwine at the 1-yard line before a fumble in the end zone two plays later would lead to a safety.

On the ensuing free kick, Kameron Johnson would return the kick 82 yards for a touchdown to make it a 23-14 affair.

UVA Wise would drive to the Barton 25-yard line on its next possession before attempting a field goal. Kellan Dalton's kick would be partially blocked, falling short of the goalposts and turning the ball back over to the Bulldogs.

Three plays later Barton was back in the end zone. Quarterback Jaquan Lynch capped a 4-play, 75-yard scoring drive with a 35-yard touchdown run. Jackson Brooks' conversion kick extended the lead to 30-14.

The Bulldog defense would make another big play on the Cavs next possession. UVA Wise drove the ball to the Barton 4-yard line before Matt Smith picked off a pass and returned it inside the Cavs' 5-yard line.

Lynch would again score with his legs as the quarterback scored from three yards out and after the extra point his club led 34-17.

The final two scores of the contest came on a Brooks' 28-yard field goal for Barton and a 17-yard touchdown pass from Redwine to Daniel Davis for UVA Wise.

The Cavs held leads of 7-0 and 14-7 in the first 30 minutes as Jakoby Johnson and Redwine each had rushing touchdowns. The Bulldogs tied the game behind a Jayden Lewis 12-yard touchdown reception and a 9-yard touchdown scamper by Jordan Terrell.

UVA Wise outgained Barton 348-to-266 but the Bulldogs won the special teams battle with 159 return yards and a made field goal. The guests were also efficient on third down as they converted six of their first ten chances.

Lynch finished the game with 146 yards on 13 carries to go with the two touchdown runs. As a team, Barton gained 205 yards on the ground.

Jaevon Gillespie paced UVA Wise with 99 yards on 11 carries while Joel Burgess led the defense with seven tackles.

The win marked the second consecutive season Barton has won at Smith Stadium.

Up next, UVA Wise visits Limestone next Saturday for another SAC contest. Kickoff from Gaffney, S.C. is scheduled for 7 p.m.