Albany State 22, Morehouse 8

Saturday, November 9 was a dreary, rainy day in San Diego. The sixth annual Gold Coast Classic featuring Albany State University (ASU) and Morehouse College provided little sunshine. ASU forced 6 turnovers and out-rushed the Maroon Tigers by nearly 200 yards en route to a 22-8 victory at Qualcomm Stadium.

Morehouse had the first scoring opportunity. Following a 36-yard punt return by freshman Santino Hall, the Maroon Tigers opened on the Albany State 18 yard line. The Golden Rams defense stood tough and after three downs, All-SIAC placekicker Byron Archibald missed a 27-yard attempt. The big play of the half came late in the first quarter when Hall misplaced his third consecutive punt. Albany State’s Trey Parker scooped up the Hall fumble and the Golden Rams opened on the Morehouse 27 yard line. Coach Mike White immediately went to his bag of tricks. On the first and only play of the drive, senior tailback Kerenski McGhee took a fake reserve 27 yards to the end zone and ASU grabbed a 6-0 lead.

As the second quarter opened, ASU missed an opportunity to increase their lead. Clenton Rafe’s punt return set the Rams up at the Morehouse 34-yard line. On 3rd and 10, quarterback Warin Major picked up 12 and the Rams appeared to be threatening. The Maroon Tiger defense held and placekicker ASU Adrian Arango was unable to connect from 40 yards. Archibald would return the favor on Morehouse’s next possession, this time missing from 52 yards and the Golden Rams went to the locker room at halftime with a 6-0 lead.

Morehouse would score its only points early in the second half. On ASU’s opening possession, Maroon Tiger senior defensive end Desmond Scantling stripped Major of the football. Tackle Japheth Nelson recovered for Morehouse and the Maroon Tigers set up shop from the ASU 11-yard line. Two Nathaniel Zackery carries later, Morehouse staked an 8-6 lead.

Then came the turnovers and offensive ineptitude for Morehouse. Late in the third quarter, sophomore tailback Aaron Epps fumbled, setting up ASU at the Morehouse 34-yard line. Seven plays later, the Golden Rams retook the lead when Arango hit a 25-yard field goal. Morehouse’s next four possessions resulted in no first downs, yet the Maroon Tigers still at a chance to steal a victory when Minor was stopped on 4th and 2 from the 12-yard line with 2:11 left in the fourth quarter.

But Maroon Tiger quarterback Duwuan Burton struggled mightily, missing on four consecutive passes. ASU assumed possession from the Morehouse 5-yard line and fullback Kawaskee Teemer rolled into the endzone. The PAT was blocked giving Morehouse one last chance; the Maroon Tigers opened scrimmage from their own 24-yard line trailing 15-8. The Golden Ram defense, stingy all afternoon sealed the affair. Junior cornerback Chris Culbert intercepted Burton and return the ball to the Morehouse 4. Teemer would issue the death blow with a 3-yard and then a 1-yard touchdown run and the ASU Rams moved into 3rd place in the SIAC.

The Rams running game was dominant, McGhee finished with 22 carries for 160 and a touchdown, Teemer added 96 yards on 19 carries and two scores. Albany State improved to 6-4 (5-2 SIAC), Morehouse dropped to 6-4 (4-3). The Rams close the season next week with intrastate rival Fort Valley. Morehouse hopes to finish on a positive note next week at Miles.

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