Last-second field goal sails wide left for TSU

Photo: Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams hurdles Florida A&M's Marquiste Ramos (91) for a first down. Williams led TSU in rushing with 87 yards in 19 carries.

By GUY CURTRIGHT, For The Tennessean

ATLANTA — Tennessee State kicker Eric Benson fell to the turf in disbelief. He wasn't the only one who couldn't believe it.

"I think if he kicks it 10 times, he'll make it 10 times," Coach James Webster said.

But this was the Atlanta Football Classic, where the games almost always come down to the end and where the Tigers repeatedly have had their hearts broken.

Benson, who had made all five of his previous field-goal attempts this year, was wide left from 27 yards out with four seconds remaining as Florida A&M held on for an 18-17 victory against the Tigers on Saturday at the Georgia Dome.

"It was a good snap and a good hold," Webster said. "He just missed it."

With the miss came more frustration for TSU (2-3), which has lost six straight to FAMU (2-2). The past five all have been decided in the final minutes, but this might have been the most disappointing of all for the Tigers.

"I didn't think there was any way we'd miss that kick," said quarterback Antonio Heffner, who had set up the attempt with a 55-yard completion to Chris Johnson that carried the Tigers to the FAMU 5.

Thinking ahead

With no timeouts remaining, Heffner spiked the ball with eight seconds left. An illegal procedure penalty moved the ball back 5 yards, but it was still almost a chip shot for Benson, who had been the difference in TSU's two victories and kicked a 19-yarder earlier in the fourth quarter.

"I had all the confidence in the world that he'd make that kick," Webster said. "There was nothing in me or about me that made me think he was going to miss that kick. … I was already thinking about squibbing the kickoff."

But there was no kickoff, just jubilation on the FAMU sideline and stunned silence on the TSU side of the field.

"I told him to keep his head up," Heffner said of Benson, who was off limits to the media afterward.

"We just have to trust in God and stay strong."

As far as FAMU Coach Rubin Carter was concerned, the Rattlers' prayers were answered.

"I was thinking, 'Lord, I sure hope he misses this kick,'" Carter said.

Heffner passed for 309 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown strike to Troy Smith on TSU's third play, and ran for 67 with a 1-yard touchdown sneak. But the Tigers couldn't hold an early 11-point lead.

"We keep playing well enough to almost win, but not well enough to do it," the junior said. "It's good to come close I guess, but really frustrating to lose."