Panthers fall to Savannah State 17-14 on homecoming
Savannah State spoiled Clark Atlanta’s 2008 homecoming with a 17-14 win in front of 17,893 fans on Saturday afternoon at Panther Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. The loss snapped the Panthers four-game winning streak. The Panthers had a chance to tie the game and send it to overtime, as senior quarterback Cedric Johnson drove CAU all the way to the SSU 17-yard line, but a 35-yard field goal attempt by CAU kicker Henry Boynton was wide-left as time expired.
Atlanta, Ga. –
Boxscore
Cedric Johnson once again had a solid performance and led the CAU offense to 448 yards on 66 plays. Johnson threw for 175 yards and rushed for 99 yards and a touchdown on only nine carries. The SIAC’s leading rusher, Winston Thompson collected his fifth consecutive 100-yard game, rushing for 145 yards on 24 carries. Clark Atlanta out gained SSU 273 to 154 on the ground, while controlling the clock 33:14 to the Tigers 26:46.
The CAU defense was outstanding all day and was paced by seniors Norris Milton, Reggie Thomas and Zimier McCloud who all finished with a game-high nine tackles a piece.
Clark Atlanta took the opening kickoff 55-yards on six plays capped off by a 26-yard field goal by Boynton giving the Panthers an early 3-0 lead.
In the second quarter CAU would add to the lead as Johnson orchestrated a 13-play, 95-yard drive that spanned 8:51, capped by his one yard quarterback sneak. Johnson would find senior tightend Dashaun Johnson in the back of the end-zone converting the two-point attempt, giving the Panthers an 11-0 lead with 4:29 remaining in the half.
Savannah State would respond on an amazing one-handed touchdown catch by Deron Talley from SSU quarterback Kurvin Curry. Curry would find Chris Bush for the two-point conversion cutting CAU’s lead to 11-8 with 1:04 remaining in the first-half.
The Tigers took the second-half kickoff 56-yards on 13 plays and kicker Derek Williams connected on a 32-yard field goal tying the game at 11-11. Clark Atlanta would regain the lead 4:56 later as Boynton nailed a 37-yard field goal giving the Panthers a 14-11 lead going into the final stanza.
Savannah State would not go away and tied the game at 14-14 when Williams nailed a 27-yard field goal with 14:55 left in the game.
After a costly fumble by CAU running back Arthur Stokes, SSU drove 51-yards and Williams connected on his third field goal, and eventual game-winner a 37- yarder with 1:09 remaining in the game.
Clark Atlanta returns to SIAC action as they take on the Rams of Albany State on Saturday, Oct. 11, in Albany, Ga. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. Both teams enter this crucial contest with identical 3-1 conference records. Clark Atlanta falls to 4-2 (3-1 SIAC) on the season while Savannah State improves to 3-3.