Box Score Marauders sacked by Morehouse in 35-33 loss

WILBERFORCE, Ohio – Possessing the lead at halftime for the second consecutive home game, Central State University was unable to close out Saturday's game in a 35-33 loss to Morehouse College.

In a back-and-forth game which included 8 lead changes, the Marauders were the first team to put points up on the board. Quarterback Trent Mays engineered a 12 play – 72-yard drive and connected with Lavon Meeks for a 16-yard score through the air to put CSU up 6-0 at the 13:45 mark of the second quarter. Morehouse quickly responded with an 11 play – 65-yard touchdown drive ending with a 7-yard rush from Frank Bailey. CSU bounced back on their next drive as Mays found Tyrone Jones for a 42 yard gain to get into the red zone. Mays eventual capped off the drive by crossing the plain from the 1 yard-line as CSU went up 12-7.

Two plays later, Morehouse quarterback Kivon Taylor heaved a 55-yard touchdown pass to Amyr Smith as the Tigers reclaimed the lead, 14-12. Near the end of the half, the CSU defense pinned back the Morehouse offense back to its own 3-yard line. With the Morehouse punter standing deep in his own end zone, CSU's Isaiah Smith broke through the line and blocked the punt. Curtis Jones scoped up the loose ball in the end zone to give the Marauders a 19-14 lead going into intermission.

Henry Alexander III, who made his season debut for CSU, started the scoring in the second half when he intercepted a Kivon Taylor pass and returned it 58 yards for a Marauder touchdown. Alexander III recorded his second interception of the day on the next Morehouse possession, but CSU fumbled the ball right back to the Tigers on the next play. The Tiger turned the turnover into a 76-yard touchdown drive to pull within five points, 26-21.

On the next Marauder possession, a tipped ball was intercepted by Morehouse's Keith Anderson on the 42-yard line. The Tigers methodically marched down the field with running back Frank Bailey scoring from 2-yards out to put his team up, 28-26.

CSU bounced back on their next drive as Terraris Saffold found the open hole in the defense and went 86 yards for his first rushing touchdown as a Marauder. After a converted extra point from Trevor Teel, CSU led 33-28 at the 5:21 mark of the third quarter.

After a 40-yard kick return from Ricci Nuckles, the Morehouse offense took over on their own 44-yard line. Taylor completed all three pass attempts for 53 yards and finished off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to put the Tigers back up, 35-33.

Entering the fourth quarter, CSU drove the ball down to the Morehouse 19-yard line before attempting a 36-yard field goal attempt that went wide right. The Tigers marched down the field again and were ready to score again until K'Jamus Sanders intercepted a wayward pass and returned it down to the Morehouse 24-yard line. With the offense struggling to advance the ball, a Trevor Teel field goal would have given CSU the lead but a mismanaged snap resulted in a loss of possession with 4:53 left in the game.

In control, Morehouse effectively managed the clock on their way to victory.

Taylor finished the afternoon completing 17 of 27 pass attempts for 247 yards. Taylor's primary target was Amyr Smith, who caught 8 balls for 154 yards and a score. Linebacker Kenneth Hagins led the Tigers' defense with 7.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss. As a team, the Tigers recorded 5 sacks on the day. With the win, Morehouse improves to 2-1 overall heading into next week's game against Miles College.

For the Marauders, Mays completed 17 of 21 attempts for 232 yards. Lavon Meeks eclipsed 100 yards receiving for the second straight week, hauling in 8 receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Alexander III finished with two interceptions and 4.5 tackles. Freshman linebacker Kailen Abrams led CSU with 7 tackles. The loss drops CSU to 0-3 on the season. Central State will spend this week preparing for Saturday's Circle City Classic against rival Kentucky State.


Quotes from Head Coach Cedric Pearl

"This is a tough loss. We had our chances to take control of the game and didn't take advantage."

"We have had the lead going into halftime in both home games this year and have let the games get away from us in the second half. We have to fix that and protect our home field."

"We have showed a lot of improvement since the first week. Our guys made some big plays but we just didn't make the key plays down the stretch to come out on top today."

 "The effort level was great. I am in no way disappointed with the work ethic and dedication our players have shown up to this point. We are a young team and need to grow up fast. We have a majority of freshman and sophomores starting on both sides of the ball. The inexperience has hurt us at times this year but I remain confident that we will correct our mistakes going into next week and beyond."

"Regarding next week, we have to win. Not just because it is KSU but because it is the next game and a conference game."

"Our goal of winning an SIAC championship is still in front of us. We are going to go back to work on Monday and prepare for conference play."
 

Quotes from the Student-Athletes

Henry Alexander III – Sophomore – Defensive Back

"I felt that we came into the game very well prepared. On defense, we were finally able to make plays and create turnovers. We just have to keep doing our job and making sure we execute on every play."

"Coming back and playing for the first time this season, I am thankful that the coaches prepared me as best as they could for this week. I just know I am going to whatever I can to help my teammates. We are all focused on getting better every day. I hope to have an even better performance next week."


Terraris Saffold – Senior – Running Back

"Coach told me he needed me to be ready and I am just glad I was able to step up and make plays for my team."

"We had some guys hurt today so it felt really good to be able to deliver a spark for our offense. Coach Pearl has been preparing me for this opportunity since I joined the program last season. The goal is to continue to deliver when my name is called."

 
Next Game
Opponent: Kentucky State
Date: Saturday, September 23
Kickoff: 3 pm
Venue: Circle City Classic - Lucas Oil Stadium – Indianapolis, Indiana
 

Coverage
Listen -  https://campusnation.com/
Live Stats - http://www.sidearmstats.com/centralstate/football
 

Additional Notes

- Lavon Meeks, who was converted from a quarterback to receiver, has now recorded back-to-back 100 yard games. 

- Terraris Saffold has a knack for making big plays as he now has two touchdown plays of 80+ yards from the line of scrimmage. (86 yard touchdown run, 80 yard touchdown reception)

- The Central State ROTC Program held a special ceremony at halftime in which seven new cadets took the loyalty oath of service.

- Colonel Reginald Bryant and ROTC staff members were accompanied by over 40 cadets on Saturday.

- Retired and active military members were granted free admission to Saturday's game.

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