ATLANTA, Ga. — Morehouse mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback Saturday afternoon at B.T. Harvey Stadium, scoring 28 unanswered points after falling behind by 36, but the Maroon Tigers' rally came up just short in a 46-38 loss to Edward Waters.
Trailing 46-10 late in the third quarter, Morehouse refused to go away. Chase DeVaughn ignited the comeback with an 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown before the Maroon Tigers dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring Edward Waters 22-0 and pulling within one possession with just over three minutes remaining. Morehouse finished the fourth quarter with 138 yards of offense while holding Edward Waters to just 23.
The loss dropped Morehouse to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in SIAC play, while Edward Waters improved to 4-1 and 3-0 in conference action. The Maroon Tigers scored 38 points on the afternoon, including 22 in the final period.
First Quarter
Morehouse struck first after its defense created an early turnover. Joshua Maye forced and recovered an Edward Waters fumble, giving the Maroon Tigers possession at the Tigers' 28-yard line. Morehouse converted the takeaway into points when Davis Rowe connected on a 30-yard field goal with 10:05 remaining to give the Maroon Tigers a 3-0 advantage.
Edward Waters answered with a nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive capped by Johntarrious Thomas' 5-yard touchdown run with 6:31 remaining, giving the visitors a 7-3 lead after the opening quarter.
Second Quarter
Edward Waters extended its advantage early in the second quarter when quarterback Tavion Faulk scored on a 14-yard run, pushing the lead to 14-3.
Morehouse responded with one of its best drives of the first half. The Maroon Tigers marched 75 yards in 12 plays, with Miles Scott finishing the drive on a 1-yard quarterback keeper. Rowe's extra point cut the deficit to 14-10 with 10:33 remaining.
The Tigers answered with another sustained drive, going 70 yards in nine plays before Faulk scored his second rushing touchdown of the quarter from 2 yards out. A critical swing came in the closing seconds of the half. Edward Waters defensive back Aykenon Rodgers intercepted Scott and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown with 24 seconds remaining, sending Morehouse into halftime trailing 26-10.
Third Quarter
Edward Waters appeared to take control of the game after halftime, scoring touchdowns on each of its first three possessions of the third quarter. Camren Stewart's 1-yard touchdown run stretched the margin to 32-10 before Faulk connected with Xavier Irvin on a 30-yard touchdown pass to make it 39-10. Faulk then found Kyron Burroughs for a 16-yard touchdown with 1:18 remaining, giving Edward Waters its largest lead of the afternoon at 46-10.
But the tone of the game changed almost immediately. On the ensuing kickoff, Chase DeVaughn raced 88 yards for a touchdown, giving Morehouse life with 1:05 remaining in the third quarter and cutting the deficit to 46-16.
Fourth Quarter — The Comeback
The Maroon Tigers carried that momentum into the final period and nearly completed one of the biggest rallies in program history. Morehouse opened its fourth-quarter scoring with a 10-play, 73-yard drive. Savion Red capped the possession with a 7-yard touchdown run with 10:23 remaining, cutting the deficit to 46-22.
The Morehouse defense then delivered the game's biggest momentum-changing play.
On Edward Waters' next possession, Joshua Houston intercepted a pass and raced 61 yards for a touchdown. Scott connected with Jeremiah Gibson on the two-point conversion, suddenly making it a 46-30 game with 9:23 left.
After the Morehouse defense forced an Edward Waters punt, the Maroon Tigers struck again. Scott engineered a 10-play, 70-yard drive before finding Dylan Brooks for a 29-yard touchdown pass with 3:09 remaining. Scott again connected with Gibson on the two-point conversion, pulling Morehouse within 46-38.
In a span stretching from the final minute of the third quarter through the final minutes of the fourth, Morehouse had scored 28 consecutive points, including 22 unanswered in the fourth quarter. Edward Waters was able to secure possession after the ensuing kickoff and run out the remaining clock, ending the Maroon Tigers' comeback bid.
Morehouse Statistical Leaders
- Miles Scott: 12-of-28 passing for 154 yards and one touchdown; also scored one rushing touchdown.
- Savion Red: 13 carries for a team-high 70 yards and one touchdown; added one reception for 15 yards.
- Chase DeVaughn: 35 rushing yards and an 88-yard kickoff-return touchdown; finished with a team-high 127 all-purpose yards.
- Jeremiah Gibson: Team-high four receptions for 41 yards and caught both fourth-quarter two-point conversions.
- Dylan Brooks: One reception for 29 yards, a fourth-quarter touchdown.
- Joshua Houston: Seven total tackles and a 61-yard interception return for a touchdown.
- Joshua Maye: Team-high eight total tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
- Sean Johnson: Seven total tackles.
- Zack Underwood: One sack for an 8-yard loss.
- Davis Rowe: Connected on a 30-yard field goal and an extra point.
Game Notes
- Morehouse fell to 1-4 overall and 1-3 in SIAC play.
- The Maroon Tigers outscored Edward Waters 22-0 in the fourth quarter.
- Morehouse trailed 46-10 with 1:18 remaining in the third quarter before scoring the game's final 28 points.
- Morehouse produced 138 yards of offense in the fourth quarter, compared with just 23 for Edward Waters.
- The Maroon Tigers recorded eight first downs in the fourth quarter while limiting Edward Waters to two.
- Morehouse rushed for 67 yards and passed for 71 yards during the final period.
- Chase DeVaughn's 88-yard kickoff return touchdown started the late surge.
- Joshua Houston's 61-yard interception return touchdown was Morehouse's second touchdown in a span of just 60 seconds of game clock.
- Morehouse scored 11 points off turnovers.
- The Maroon Tigers finished with 296 total yards, including 142 rushing and 154 passing.
- Morehouse did not lose a fumble and converted all three of its red-zone opportunities into points.
Up Next
Morehouse now turns its attention to one of the most anticipated games on its schedule as the Maroon Tigers travel to Montgomery, Alabama, to face longtime rival Tuskegee in the annual Morehouse-Tuskegee Classic at the Cramton Bowl. 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.
