COLUMBIA, S.C. – Morehouse College nearly erased a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit Saturday afternoon, scoring two touchdowns in less than three minutes before falling to Allen University, 26-23, at C.F. Bolden Stadium.
Trailing 26-10 early in the fourth quarter, the Maroon Tigers (3-6, 3-4 SIAC) fought their way back behind a pair of touchdowns from Noah Rhodes and a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Jordan Woods. The late push brought Morehouse within three points with 3:07 remaining, but Allen (3-6, 2-5 SIAC) picked up two key first downs on its final possession to secure the victory. Quarterback Miles Scott completed 13 of 26 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns, both to Rhodes, who finished with three receptions for 107 yards. Defensively, Sean Johnson led the Maroon Tigers with 16 tackles, while freshman Joshua Houston blocked the punt that helped fuel the comeback.
Game Summary
First Quarter
Allen struck first on its opening possession, taking advantage of favorable field position before Brent Upshaw Jr. connected with Mike Bowman on a 6-yard touchdown pass.
Morehouse answered with a big play through the air. Scott found Rhodes for a 59-yard touchdown, and Davis Rowe added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:52 remaining in the quarter.
The Yellow Jackets put together another lengthy drive late in the period, moving deep into Morehouse territory as the quarter ended.
Second Quarter
Allen regained the lead just six seconds into the second quarter when Ja'Morian Phillips scored on a 2-yard run. Jordan Williams blocked the extra-point attempt, keeping the Maroon Tigers within six at 13-7.
The Morehouse defense came up with a key play late in the half. Johnson forced an Upshaw fumble, which Steven Copeland II recovered at the Allen 47-yard line with 3:10 remaining. The Maroon Tigers turned the takeaway into points, moving 36 yards on a 12-play drive before Rowe connected on a 21-yard field goal with 18 seconds left. Morehouse entered halftime trailing 13-10.
Third Quarter
Both defenses came up with interceptions early in the second half. Allen's Joseph King intercepted a Scott pass, but Kai Fernandes answered on the very next play with an interception of Upshaw, giving possession back to the Maroon Tigers.
Morehouse was unable to capitalize, and Allen extended its lead later in the quarter.
Demetri Simmons capped a 10-play, 70-yard drive with a 14-yard touchdown run at the 2:02 mark. The Yellow Jackets failed on the conversion attempt, leaving the score at 19-10 entering the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Allen appeared to take control early in the final period when Upshaw broke free for a 68-yard touchdown run. The extra point pushed the Yellow Jackets' lead to 26-10 with 12:34 remaining.
Morehouse refused to go away. After the defense forced an Allen punt, the Maroon Tigers took over at the Yellow Jackets' 41-yard line. Savion Red opened the possession with an 11-yard run, and Scott followed with a 17-yard completion to Dylan Brooks. Two plays later, Scott connected with Rhodes on a 15-yard touchdown pass with 5:37 left. A holding penalty wiped out a successful two-point attempt, and the Maroon Tigers failed on the retry, leaving Allen ahead 26-16.
The Morehouse defense forced another three-and-out to give the Maroon Tigers one more opportunity. On fourth down, Joshua Houston broke through the Allen protection and blocked Rolando Dominguez Jayo's punt. Jordan Woods recovered the ball at the Allen 22-yard line and raced into the end zone for a touchdown. Rowe's extra point cut the deficit to 26-23 with 3:07 remaining.
Allen took possession at its own 20-yard line and converted a critical third-and-eight on a 13-yard completion from Upshaw to Bowman. Simmons later added a 15-yard run for another first down, allowing the Yellow Jackets to run out the clock and escape with the three-point victory.
Morehouse Statistical Leaders
Offense
- Miles Scott (QB): 13-of-26 passing, 185 yards, two touchdowns.
- Noah Rhodes (WR): Three receptions, 107 yards, two touchdowns, including a 59-yard score.
- Savion Red (RB): Nine carries, 60 rushing yards; two receptions for 15 yards.
- Chase DeVaughn (RB): Five carries, 23 rushing yards; one reception for six yards.
- Dylan Brooks (RB): Two receptions, 30 yards.
Defense
- Sean Johnson (LB): 16 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry.
- Joshua Maye (S): Eight tackles, one forced fumble and one pass breakup.
- Steven Copeland II (LB): Eight tackles and one fumble recovery.
- Jordan Woods (LB): Six tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a 22-yard blocked-punt return touchdown.
- Kai Fernandez (S): Five tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and one pass breakup.
Special Teams
- Joshua Houston: One blocked punt, setting up a Morehouse touchdown.
- Jordan Woods: 22-yard blocked-punt return touchdown.
- Davis Rowe: 21-yard field goal and two successful extra points.
- Gavin Fletcher: Six punts for 203 yards, averaging 33.8 yards per punt, with a long of 50 yards and two punts inside the 20-yard line.
Game Notes
- Morehouse scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to cut a 26-10 deficit to 26-23.
- Noah Rhodes recorded his first 100-yard receiving game of the season, finishing with 107 yards and two touchdowns.
- The Maroon Tigers finished with 288 yards of total offense, including 185 passing and 103 rushing.
- Morehouse forced two Allen turnovers, recovering a fumble and recording an interception.
- Sean Johnson's 16 tackles led all players in the contest.
- Joshua Houston's blocked punt and Jordan Woods' 22-yard touchdown return brought Morehouse within three points late in the fourth quarter.
- The Maroon Tigers recorded two blocked kicks, including an Allen extra-point attempt in the second quarter.
- Morehouse held Allen scoreless over the final 12:34 of the game.
With the Loss
- Morehouse falls to 3-6 overall and 3-4 in SIAC play.
- Allen improves to 3-6 overall and 2-5 in conference action.
- The Maroon Tigers drop their second consecutive game.
- Morehouse finished 3-of-11 on third-down conversions, while Allen converted 11 of 16 opportunities.
- Allen outgained Morehouse 373-288, including a 261-103 advantage in rushing yards.
Up Next
Morehouse will look to bounce back when it travels to Frankfort, Kentucky, to face Kentucky State University on Saturday, November 7, at Alumni Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. The matchup will mark the Maroon Tigers' final regular-season game of 2026. For up-to-date athletic information on the Maroon Tigers, follow them on social media or online at www.morehouseathletics.com or Maroon Tiger football on Instagram @morehousefootball.
