The Central State University Marauder football team took the field in the Edward Jones Dome for the Gateway Classic in St. Louis, Missouri this past weekend. The Marauders (Division I) played against the Tennessee State University Tigers (Division II).
In the first quarter, the Marauders suffered a loss and fumbled the ball.  The TSU Tigers recovered the ball and scored. With 3:17 left on the clock, the Marauders made a first-down but failed to score a touchdown and ended the quarter trailing the Tigers 28-0.
 
In the second quarter, the Marauders took the field with a different attitude. With 12: 32 on the clock, Central State's Michael Wilson #1 scored the first touchdown.  #2 Gracewell Mabhena , was unable to kick the ball, and the Marauders went for the 2-pointconversion. The pass to #85 Zach Thomas was incomplete
 
Although, the TSU Tigers fumbled at the end of the second quarter,  they kept d a strong 43-3 lead over the Marauders at halftime.
 
During the halftime show, students sat and watched the battle of the bands but also remained positive about the football team and their outcome. Graduating Senior, Alexa Turner said, "I still believe that the second half may have something good in store." Turner is a member of the CSU Student Government Association. "We are strong Marauders and I know that our boys will come out and fight to win. Let's Go Marauders!"
 
After halftime, the Marauders came back to the field ready and focused to finish this game strong. The Marauders started off extremely well, but with 38-yards left to go  the end zone, the Marauders fumbled the ball and the TSU Tigers scored another touch down. The third quarter ended with a score of 55-6, Tigers. CSU Senior Tyler Fletcher-Crayton said, "I support the football team regardless of the outcome a game may bring." Fletcher-Crayton is a graduating education major at CSU. "Loving our HBCU comes naturally to me regardless of a game score."  
 
In the fourth quarter, the Marauders ran out of steam and Tennessee State University took the win at the St. Louis Gateway Classic with a final score of 73-6. With every team there is a support system and the support system at CSU are its fans, students, faculty, and staff. "For God, For Central, For State!" 

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