Morehouse Falls To Benedict In Double OT 29-26
The Maroon Tigers roared back from a 19-0 halftime lead, to send the game into overtime, only to lose on a missed field in double overtime.
After Benedict scored three times in the first half -- on a 45-yard touchdown pass, a 20-yard run and a one-yard -- the outlook appeared bleak for the massive Homecoming crowd.
But after an interception by Kenneth Hagins and the substitution of freshman quarterback Michael Sims, early in the third quarter, the Morehouse fortunes took a positive turn.
Hagins' interception, at the Benedict 37-yard line, set up a 33-yard field goal by Fernando Sdelamora. Less than four minutes later, Sims, subbing for starter Kivon Taylor, ran it in from the three-yard line, to make the score 19-10.
In the fourth quarter, Sims piloted the Maroon Tigers 51 yards down the field and connected with Ricci Nuckles on a 15-yard touchdown reception.
Morehouse had a chance to put the game away, but Sims was intercepted in the end zone and returned to the five-yard line.
As they have all season, the Morehouse defense rose up and shut down the Benedict offense, setting up one of the biggest plays of the game. After two running plays from the five gained no yardage, defensive lineman Bundrea Conway burst through the offensive line and sacked the Benedict quarterback in the end zone for a safety and a 19-19 tie.
Neither team scored in the remaining 4:26.
In the first overtime, Sims hit tight end Ryan Edwards for a nine-yard touchdown and Sdelamora added the extra point.
Benedict bounced back with a three-yard touchdown run, to send the game into a second overtime.
Again the Morehouse defense held and Benedict was forced to make a 43-yard field goal. When the Maroon Tigers took possession, two incomplete passes and a sack kept them out of an end zone and forced a field goal attempt, which sailed wide left.
