Marauders give up late touchdown in 16-14 loss to Lane


WILBERFORCE, Ohio - The Central State Marauders were edged by Lane College, 16-14, on Saturday.


A shorthanded CSU team jumped out to a 14-0 lead on scores from freshman running back Demonte' Dunlap and receiver Dalane Brown II. Dunlap scored on a 27 yard run with 8:53 on the clock in the first quarter while Brown II hauled in a 24 yard touchdown pass from Jacoby Smith with 34 seconds left in the half to give CSU a two-score edge at intermission.


Lane opened the second half with a focus on establishing the run and using 9:53 of the clock resulting in a 21-yard field goal by Noah Shalz to cut the deficit to 11. Gaining the ball on the CSU 35 yard line, the Dragons took advantage by scoring a touchdown six plays later on a Michael Huntley run from five yards out. After a fumbled snap in their own endzone while attempting to punt, the Marauders surrendered possession to Lane at the seven-yard line. Forcing a fourth-and-one situation, the Marauder defense was unable to hold off the LC run attack as Ike Brown stretched the ball across the goaline to give his team a 16-14 lead with 2:19 to play.


After being sacked on the first play of the next possession, CSU was unable to recover as a Smith pass went incomplete on fourth down to effectively end the game.


The CSU defense stood out in the loss and kept the Marauders in contention, forcing five turnovers on downs and recording four sacks. CSU linebacker Joe White led the defense with 16 tackles. With starting kicker Jose Chaires out, White also stepped in to handle punting and kicking duties. Freshman Justice Thompson finished with 14 tackles and senior defensive end Jamal Holloway ended the day with 12 tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.


The Marauder offense was paced by Dunlap, who finished with 56 yards and a score on the ground to go along with four receptions for 29 receiving yards.


At 1-8 overall and 0-5 in SIAC play, the Marauders will end the season on the road next Saturday at Kentucky State.



NOTES:

- Prior to Saturday's kickoff, CSU honored seniors Bryan Battle, Jr., Genesis Hartley, Jamal Holloway, Justin Olibrice and Keandre Powell

- With the loss, CSU is now 8-4 all-time against Lane. CSU and LC first played each other in 1973.

- CSU's admissions department celebrated College Preview Day - an event centered around hosting high school students and showcasing CSU's campus

- CSU was without kicker Jose Chaires as well as long snapper Jabari Felton

- Without a backup kicker available for Saturday, linebacker Joe White and quarterback Jacoby Smith handled the kicking and punting duties throughout Saturday's game