ROME -- The Hawks turned in their best offensive output of the year, but came up short against West Florida; falling to the Argos 42-29.

In total, Shorter tallied 442 yards of offense with 386 coming in the air from Tyler Pullum – a new single-game high for the sophomore and the program. With Lewis Hayes being the primary target, and turning in new Shorter single-game records in receiving yards with 168 and in receiving touchdowns with three.

West Florida (5-2, 3-2 GSC) got on the board first, scoring on a 26-yard interception return in the two minutes into the game, before tacking on a second score before the end of the period to make it a 14-0 game.

Shorter (0-8, 0-5 GSC) answered in the opening moments of the second quarter with their first tally of the afternoon as B.J. McCoy took a five-yard run into the end zone. The Argos countered with three touchdowns during the second period to extend their lead to 35-6, before the Hawks tallied their second touchdown of the game – and first by Hayes – as time expired at the half for the 35-14 score.

After the break, the Hawks wasted no time getting things going, as Pullum connected with Hayes for a second time on the afternoon on the first play of the third quarter; this time a 75-yard pass to make it a 35-21 game. The score remained through the remainder of the quarter, before the Argos answered with their final scoring drive of the game in the opening minutes of the fourth to bring their advantage to 42-21. With 3:33 to play in the game, the Hawks hit pay dirt for the final time as Pullum found Hayes for a 4-yard reception and tacked on two with a successful two-point conversion pass to Joseph Ross for the 42-29, final score.

Pullum finished the day 26-35 passing with 386 yards – a total that ranks second most in the GSC this season. While, Hayes collected eight passes for 168 yards and three touchdowns. The total in yards breaks the existing Shorter record by 61 yards, which has stood at 107 since the first game of the 2012 season and is the second most by a player in the conference this year. Hayes becomes the first player in program history to score three receiving touchdowns in a game – multiple players have turned in two previously.

McCoy finished the game with 75 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown – his third of the year.

On defense, Kareem Taylor led the effort. Turning in ten tackles – seven solo and three assists – with two tackles for a loss and a sack. Nehemiah Reddish added eight tackles; while John Jarrard, Kevin Knight and Austin Porter each added seven apiece.

West Florida's Mike Beaudry completed 25 of 33 passes with 322 yards and four touchdowns. While adding a team high 52-yards rushing with a touchdown. Antoine Griffin pulled in 99 yards receiving on eight catches with two touchdowns to lead the receivers. The defense was led by Asante Griffin with six tackles.

The Hawks will have a short week to prepare for the Thursday night matchup with West Georgia, set for October 26, at 7:00pm from University Stadium in Carrollton, Ga.