10/5/2019 6:45:00 PM Marauders hang on to beat Edward Waters, 28-21 Share Tweet Pin it +1 E-mail Print Courtesy of Central State Athletics Central State Marauders hand on to beat Edward Waters, 28-21 WILBERFORCE, Ohio – The Central State Marauders jumped ahead 14-0 and hung on late to defeat the Edward Waters Tigers, 28-21, on Saturday. CSU came away with four interceptions on the afternoon. A 100-yard interception return by Malik Johnson and a 98-yard kickoff return by Derell Williams helped propel CSU to the non-conference win. With the victory, CSU improves to 2-3 overall while Edward Waters remains winless dropping to 0-5 on the year. THE BASICS Score: Edward Water – 21; Central State - 28 Records: Edward Waters (0-5); Central State (2-3) Location: McPherson Memorial Stadium – Wilberforce, Ohio HOW IT HAPPENED 1st Quarter With Edward Waters taking their opening drive down to the CSU goal line, Marauder defensive back stepped in front of a Braden Minor pass and went the other way for a 100-yard interception return for the score (CSU 7-0). After a poor punt by the Tigers gave CSU excellent field position at the EWC 13-yard line, an 11-yard pass to Darius Meadors set up a short touchdown run by Terraris Saffold, giving CSU a 14-point lead with 4:30 left in the opening quarter (CSU 14-0). 2nd Quarter In the early stages of the second quarter, CSU put an abrupt end to another EWC scoring threat when a Minor deep ball was intercepted by CSU's Christopher Lewis near his own goal line (CSU 14-0). Edward Waters bounced back after the interception with a 40 yard touchdown drive capped off with a De'Shaun Hugee three yard touchdown run with 8:18 left in the half (CSU 14-7). The Marauder put together their longest drive of the game going 75 yards in 8 plays. Saffold ended the drive with his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon to put his team back up by 14 (CSU 21-7). 3rd Quarter CSU opened the third quarter on a high note as Derell Williams took the kickoff for a 98-yard touchdown return (CSU 28-7). On its next drive, EWC gave the ball to Hugee five straight times as he broke runs of 44 yards and 9 yards on his way to the endzone at the 12:13 mark of the third quarter (CSU 28-14). An attempt to cut the deficit down to 11 was denied as a EWC field goal attempt was blocked by CSU lineman Donta Marshall with 4:57 left in the third quarter (CSU 28-14). 4th Quarter Edward Waters marched down to the CSU 17 yard line but turned the ball over on downs as a heavily pressured Minor threw a wayward pass that fell to the ground with 7:59 remaining (CSU 28-14). With 3:03 left, EWC cut the lead down to seven when Minor found a streaking David Beeks for a 38 yard score (CSU 28-21). After failing to earn a first down on their next offensive possession, the Marauders punted the ball away to EWC with 1:38 to play. Minor completed five of his next six passes to get the Tigers down to the CSU 24 yard line. After a holding call backed the Tigers up to the 33-yard line, Shi'Quon Likely intercepted a Minor pass in the end zone with 7 seconds left to seal the victory for the Marauders (CSU 28-21). INSIDE THE BOX SCORE CSU recorded four interceptions on the afternoon (Malik Johnson, Devon Cunningham, Christopher Lewis, Shi'Quon Likely). CSU running back Terraris Saffold ran for 107 yards and two touchdowns. It is the third time Saffold has eclipsed the century mark this season. Linebackers Kailen Abrams and Javion Williams each finished with 13 tackles to lead the CSU defense. Malik Johnson's interception return for a touchdown was the first time he has scored in his football playing career (high school & collegiate). Saturday's game was the first time CSU had a kickoff return and interception return for a touchdown in the same game since 2016. CSU is currently 1-0 in the SIAC. SIAC play continued for Central State on Oct. 12 (Fort Valley State). Edward Waters, currently an NAIA program from Jacksonville, Florida, will compete as an NCAA Div. II program next season and join the SIAC. QUOTES FROM COACH CEDRIC PEARL "It was a tough game out there today and we won. Our special teams and defense rose up today with some big plays to seal the victory for us." "The play Malik made today was outstanding and exactly what we needed. It was simply on outstanding break on the ball." "Quite simply, we need to keep improving and getting victories. We play a quality opponent in Fort Valley State. Coach Porter always has his FVSU teams ready to play hard and I know we are going to have our players prepared for the a big conference match up." QUOTES FROM THE STUDENT-ATHLETES "I saw the ball and made the play. As a team, we needed to get some early momentum and I am just glad I could execute and take it the other way. This was the first time I had ever scored in my life. It feels great to make a play to help us get a win." Defensive Back Malik Johnson "We have been trying to bounce back from last week. I appreciate the support of my teammates today. We fought hard and came through at the end. I am going to enjoy the win today. Come Sunday, we will be right back to work and focusing on Fort Valley State." Defensive Back Shi'Quon Likely "Today was a game we needed to win. I was satisfied we came out on top but we need to keep getting better as we move into conference play. As a senior, every win matters to me. We have five games left and I am cherishing every moment I get to play on this team." Running back Terraris Saffold UP NEXT The Marauders will resume conference play on Saturday when they host Fort Valley State during Homecoming. STAY CONNECTED Be sure to visit maraudersports.com and follow the Central State University Athletic social media pages for all news, scores, and updates. Facebook – facebook.com/CSUMarauders Twitter - @GO_MARAUDERS Instagram - @GO_MARAUDERS Snapchat – GO_MARAUDERS SUPPORT MARAUDER ATHLETICS To support Central State University Athletics, visit - https://maraudersports.com/news/2017/5/1/support-marauder-athletics.aspx