Week 1 recap of the football games throughout the SIAC:
Morehouse at Benedict (Palmetto City Classic)
Morehouse took an early lead (7-0) on a 5-yard run by David Carter, but Benedict quickly responded with a score as Corey Gardhigh hauled in a 50 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Pat Riley to tie the game at 7. The Maroon Tigers then scored 14 unanswered on a pair of 5 yard touchdown runs by William Brack and David Carter to take a 21-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Benedict would then score the game’s next 20 points, including a 77-yard interception return by Tyron Davis, to take a 27-21 lead heading into the fourth quarter. With 1:47 left the Maroon Tigers tied the game at 27 on a 1-yard run by William Brack but the PAT attempt was blocked, forcing the game into overtime. Morehouse took a 34-27 lead in overtime on a 5-yard touchdown run by David Carter, his third of the game. Benedict drove the ball inside the Morehouse 5-yard line but a fumble by quarterback Pat Riley was recovered by the Maroon Tigers at the 1 to seal the victory, 34-27. Morehouse running back David Carter rushed for 155 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries and was named the game’s MVP. Benedict’s Pat Riley threw for 157 yards and two touchdowns while teammate Anthony Davis led all tacklers with 13 (9 assisted, 4 solo).
Next week’s games: Benedict at (Tuskegee-1 pm CST); Morehouse at (Fort Valley State-6 pm).
Albany State at Kentucky State
Albany State jumped out to an early lead midway through the first quarter, scoring 14 points in less than a minute on Stan Jennings’ 58-yard pass to LiRonnie Davis followed by a 7-yard interception return by Prathon Wilkerson on Kentucky State’s next possession. Shannon Frieson got the Kentucky State on the board with a 5-yard run to make it 14-6 at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter was dominated by the defenses until Jennings hooked up with Ronnie Childs on a 39-yard pass as time expired. Early in the third, Jennings connected with Octavius Staton on a 35-yard TD pass, his third touchdown pass of the day. Later in the quarter, KSU’s Frieson scored again on a 5-yard run. ASU running back Robert Welton accounted for the game’s final two scores with a pair of TD runs (22, 24) to seal a 42-12 win for the Golden Rams. Jennings finished the game 13-19 for 267 yards and three touchdowns in his debut. KSU receiver/return man Jamaree Gordon finished with 147 all-purpose yards, including 123 receiving.
Next week’s games: Kentucky State vs. (Lane-Louisville, KY 3 pm); Albany State vs. (Bye)
Fort Valley State at Miles
Fort Valley State got on the board first with a 13-yard run by Brandon Anderson midway through the first quarter. Early in the second, return man An’thon Harris took a punt 46-yards for a score to give the Wildcats a 14-0 lead. The teams exchanged field goals early in the fourth before a 47-yard TD run by FVSU’s Denzel Wesley made the score 24-3 with 7:39 to play. The Wildcats then relied on their defense, which held the Golden Bears to 141 total yards including -1 yards rushing, to hold off the Miles, 24-3. FVSU’s Ricky Johnson led all tacklers with nine (7 solo, 2 assist) while Miles QB Carlton Hill threw for 133 yards.
Next week’s games: Fort Valley State vs. (Morehouse- 6 pm); Miles vs. (Stillman- 9/5 Labor Day Classic- 6 pm CST)
Clark Atlanta at Lane
Both defenses pitched a shutout until the second quarter when Lane’s A.J. Thompson scored on a 1-yard run. Clark Atlanta then went on to score 20 unanswered points, including a 51-yard interception return by Michael Bradshaw and a 63-yard fumble recovery by Andre Wicker, to win 20-6. Lane’s Tahj Dent rushed for 125 yards on 16 while CAU’s Winston Thompson finished with 90 all-purpose yards (79 rushing, 11 receiving). Dragons LB Milton Meeks led all tacklers with 10 (6 solo, 4 assist).
Next week’s games: Clark Atlanta vs. (Bye); Lane vs. (Kentucky State- Louisville, KY 3 pm)