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Clark Atlanta Panthers
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- Jason McDonald
Panthers Claim AUC Title
By: Jason McDonald
Pretty it wasn't but the Clark Atlanta Panthers will take the 27-21 double overtime win against neighborhood rival Morehouse Tigers.
"It's a sad moment right now" spoke an obviously disappointed Eddie Rowe. A red-shirt junior has been with the Morehouse program for two years after transferring from Alabama A&M.
Emotions ran high throughout the game between the two institutions that are literally separated by a fence line. Both teams picked up its fair share of personal fouls and penalties for excessive celebrations.
After a scoreless first quarter that saw both offenses struggle to reach midfield, the Panthers finally put it together. Adrian Johnson capitalized on a defensive off-sides penalty and rolled into the endzone for a 6-0 CAU lead.
Johnson added a second touchdown 46 seconds before the end of the half. This time the option quarterback used his arm firing a strike to a wide open Antoine Bell. Sensing the Tigers were on their heels, new Coach Ted Bahur went for the two-point conversion. Again Johnson's arm proved salable firing a strike to a blanketed Vernon Moore.
Morehouse answered the bell on their second possession of the second half. Ruben Dupree found Raymond Johnson along the sideline on a simple out pattern. Johnson's size enabled him to shed the would be tackler near midfield and scoot 71 yards to the endzone.
Coach Bahur felt his team was successful enough running the ball in the first half that he to stayed with it in the second half. Using a mix of Johnson, Terrin Usher, Brandon Kaigler, and Bryce Doe the Panthers moved the ball deep into Tiger territory. The Panthers rolled up 355 yards rushing on the day.
Even though the running game was clicking, it was a pass that set up the Panther's third scoring opportunity. Johnson's 10 yard pass to Roderick McKenney was nearly 6 until hard hitting safety Woodrow Vereen knocked McKenney out at the 1 with a vicious hit. Johnson scored his second touchdown of the game with a 1 yard sneak to put the Panthers up 14.
The rest of regulation belonged to Morehouse and tailback John David Washington. Washington, playing in front of his Academy Award winning father, family, and family friend actor/director/writer Robert Townsend, set up both second half scores with runs of 26 and 16 yards. The senior finished the game with 105 yards on 25 carries.
Raymond Johnson finished each drive Washington setup. The senior split end beat Panther defensive back Devon Shorter twice for touchdowns. After out -jumping Shorter for his second score of the day, Johnson got a little assistance for his third. Shorter made the right read but let the ball slip through his hands to the waiting Johnson. The touchdown tied the game with just over a minute to play in the game.
Clark Atlanta stayed with the running game even though they needed to travel 87 yards with time winding down. They made it into field goal position but time expired as the Panthers attempted to call a timeout. "I thought we had one timeout left," explained Coach Bahur when asked about his play calling choices. Before the first overtime period started the officials realized their mistake may have cost the guests a victory.
Morehouse had a chance to win the game in the first bonus session. After holding Clark Atlanta scoreless, Coach Beaufort opted for one more stab at the endzone instead of kicking the field goal on third down from the Panthers 6. Derrick White ended the threat picking off Dupree's pass intended for- quarterback turned tightend- . For the UGA transfer it was just another play in a day of big plays. White had 16 tackles, 4 for a loss, a sack, and an interception. Just a normal day at the office.
The Maroon Tigers turnover was costly as the offense was not able to match Usher's 1 yard touchdown run in the second overtime session. Morehouse Coach Terry Beaufort's teachings seemed prophetic after the game. "I tell our guys you've got to learn how to live in the moment and if you let that moment slip away there may not be another one like it" recalled a solemn Beaufort.
The Tigers have two opportunities remaining to reach .500 for the season and put a positive spin on this season. Clark Atlanta has won more games this season than in the past three combined. If they can win both of their remaining two games it could mean the program has turned the corner.