Benedict’s defense falls short

Morehouse scores late touchdown to seal victory in season-opener
By CALLEB OBUMBA

On the day Benedict’s offense came alive, its defense fell asleep.After converting a fourth down late in the fourth quarter, Morehouse running back Eddie Rowe rushed 4 yards for a touchdown to give the Maroon Tigers a 20-17 victory against Benedict in the season-opener for both teams.

“It’s simple, if you don’t tackle you can’t win,” Benedict coach John Hendrick said. “Our defense played poorly tonight and it showed in the end. We didn’t attack anyone tonight.”

Morehouse racked up 198 yards rushing against the Tigers’ defense.

After a first quarter dominated by both defenses, Morehouse’s career rushing leader John David Washington weaved his way through the Tigers’ defense and down the sideline. He was knocked out of bounds by Derrick Crockett on Benedict’s 1-yard line. He later scored, but the kick failed.

The Tigers countered when senior quarterback Tremaine Lyle orchestrated a 16-play scoring drive. After a Morehouse roughing-the-passer penalty, running back Elijah Clark scampered 27 yards to the 3-yard line. Running back Jeffrey Nobles took it in to give the Tigers a 7-6 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Morehouse receiver Raymond Johnson fumbled a lateral from quarterback Carlos King. Tiger safety Carl Spellman scooped it up and sprinted 41 yards down the sideline before getting caught from behind by Johnson.

A few plays later, Martin Degazon kicked a 21-yard field goal to extend the Tigers’ lead to 10-6 at halftime.

In the third quarter, King’s mobility in the pocket became a problem for the Tigers’ defense. King avoided at least four Tiger defenders and took the ball inside the Tigers’ 10-yard line. Rowe capped the drive to give the Maroon Tigers a 13-10 advantage.

Washington finished with 105 yards on 22 carries, and Rowe had 61 yards on 12 carries.

Lyle connected with running back Rashidi Scott on a 55-yard touchdown pass to help Benedict reclaim the lead with 8:54 remaining.

After Rowe’s second touchdown, Benedict had one final opportunity. But Tigers wide receiver Kristopher Mizell dropped a pass from Lyle on fourth down.

The Tigers finished with 153 yards rushing, led by Lyle’s 56 yards on 14 carries. He completed 6 or 19 passes for 104 yards.

“The offense played well tonight, but we still have things to work on,” Hendrick said.

Source: BC Sports Information

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