Morehouse 46, Kentucky State 16
Second Half Explosion Propels Maroon Tigers
By Richard N. Hayes
Onnidan Online Correspondent
(COLUMBUS, OH) - The Maroon Tiger Dynamic Duo did it again. Fresh off a performance against
Bowie State last week where both amassed over 100 yards, John David Washington
and Kenneth Rodgers combined for 5 touchdowns as Morehouse defeated the
Kentucky State (KSU) Thorobreds 45-16 in the inaugural Midwest Heritage Classic
at Crew Stadium in Columbus, Ohio.
The Maroon Tigers dominated the field position battle early; beginning drives
on the KSU 46 and twice on midfield. Morehouse opened the scoring when
freshman tailback John David Washington followed a 13-yard rush with a 23-yard
touchdown carry. On their next possession, Washington did even better. This
time the elusive freshman from Toluca Lake, CA sprinted 58 yards to the end
zone, giving Morehouse a 14-0 advantage.
Momentum turned on the Maroon Tiger’s next possession. A bad snap on fourth
down and subsequent incomplete pass by Morehouse punter Adam Williams gave
Kentucky State the ball in excellent scoring position. The Thorobreds were
driving until Morehouse junior defensive end Robert Kilpatrick sacked KSU
quarterback Shawn Johnson. KSU was forced to settle for a 30 yard field goal
by Scott Lambert and pulled within 11, 14-3.
Morehouse would respond with a field goal of its own and appeared to be back
in control with a 17-3 lead. The Thorobreds fought back. With less than 2
minutes left in the half, Johnson hit sophomore wide receiver Gordon Miles on
an 80-yard touchdown strike. At the half, it was still a contest with
Morehouse leading 17-9.
Then came the Kenneth Rodgers show. On their second possession of the half,
Morehouse senior quarterback Adam Lamb connected with Rodgers and the senior
receiver from Durham, NC strolled 66 yards for a touchdown. On their next
possession, Lamb, on a quarterback keeper, would run 36 yards capping an
8-play, 69-yard touchdown drive and at the end of the third quarter, Morehouse
had opened a 31-9 lead.
Rodgers began the fourth quarter in much the same way as he began the second
half. A 25 yard reception moved the ball into KSU territory and seven plays
later Rodgers scored his second touchdown of the half, this time on a 4 yard
reception from Lamb. KSU, ever resilient, responded with a 10 play, 95-yard
drive. Freshman receiver Chris Bryant made some excellent catches during the
drive, including receptions for 6, 9 and 14 yards. Johnson would find Miles
again for a touchdown, this time on a 30-yard strike.
But Rodgers would have the last say. With quarterback Duwuan Burton in on
relief duty, Rodgers would take the Charlotte freshman’s pass 52 yards for the
exclamation point on the Morehouse victory. Rodgers finished with 10 catches
for 210 yards; Washington with 17 carries for 119. In a losing effort, Johnson
was 33 of 54 for 342 yards and Miles had 10 catches for 170. The Tigers
improved to 4-2, 2-1 (SIAC) with the victory and have a bye week before facing
rival Tuskegee. Kentucky State dropped to 1-4, 0-1 (SIAC) and return to
Frankfurt for Homecoming against Lane College.
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