Box Score
Marauders stumble against Alderson Broaddus in season opener

PHILIPPI, West Virginia - Alderson Broaddus running back Brandon Jones and receiver Cooper Schroeder combined for 242 yards of offense to help spoil the season opener

for Coach Cedric Pearl and the Central State Marauders as CSU fell 22-14 on Saturday afternoon.

After holding the Battler offense to a field goal on their first drive, the CSU defense performed well through the remainder of the game. Dashad Tucker picked off quarterback Wilson Vaughn late in the first quarter, returning it down to the AB 31 yard line. Struggling for most of the afternoon, the offense failed to take advantage of the turnover and was forced to punt.

AB found the end zone on the next possession with a 90 yard drive capped off by a 2 yard run by Jones with 4:41 to go in the first half. CSU was unable to respond as their next drive ended with a blocked punt on their own 7 yard line. AB quarterback Wilson Vaughn connected with Darius Frederick in the end zone on the very next play to extend the lead to 16-0. CSU's next drive come to an abrupt halt when Marquis Wells' pass was snatched by AB's Michael James on the CSU 24 yard line. Jordan Butler would eventually convert a 40 yard field goal to put the Battlers up 19-0. CSU's attempt to score before the end of the half came up short as a 44 yard attempt by kicker John Adams failed to go through the uprights.

With the offense struggling to score, CSU's defense found the end zone midway through the 3^rd quarter as defensive back Christian Wilson recovered a Justin Zepada fumble and returned it 74 yards for the score. After a failed extra point attempt, CSU trailed 19-6 with 6:34 left in the 3rd quarter.

With 9:29 remaining in the game, the AB offense drove the ball down the CSU 25 yard line. With AB threatening to score, CSU's Clim Robbins stepped in front of a Vaughn pass attempt and went on a 75 yard touchdown return. After a successful two-point conversion, CSU cut the AB lead down to 19-14 with 7:48 to go.

Butler gave the Battlers a 22-14 lead on the next drive with a 44 yard field goal at the 4:20 mark. Unable to move the ball, CSU punter John Adams pinned the AB offense down on its own 10 yard line. After two straight run plays, the Marauder defense came up big once more on 3rd down as Artrell McMillan and Robert Evans III stuffed the AB short yardage attempt to give CSU one last possession and a chance to tie up the ball game.

With 1:11 remaining, Wells completed a quick 9 yard pass to Zach Thomas on the first play of the drive. With no timeouts, Wells was sacked by AB's Jeff Stephens. After an intentional spike to stop the clock, Wells' pass attempt on 4th down fell incomplete, ending the hopes of a Marauder comeback. With 19 seconds left, AB was able to kneel down to seal the victory.

Despite the loss, CSU had positive contributions from a number of players on defense. Deonate Gary and E'Donovan Stewart combined for 18 tackles, 3 of which went for negative yardage. Tucker and Robbins combined for 10 tackles and 3 interceptions on the afternoon while McMillan finished with 5 tackles and 1 sack.

Converting 2 of 17 third down attempts, CSU will focus on being more efficient during the upcoming week of practice in preparation for Clark-Atlanta next Saturday. With left guard Devin Radcliffe out for the season with injury, left tackle Jochannon Mitchell ruled ineligible and guard John Fitzgerald missing Saturday due to illness, CSU had just six offensive linemen who suited up against AB. CSU hopes to get Fitzgerald along with freshman tackle Lawrence Dailey available to play this week. The kickoff against CSU is scheduled for 2 pm in Atlanta, GA.

 

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