Benedict Tigers Edge Morehouse On Late Field Goal, 29-26



Benedict College Eduardo Hernandez kicks the game-winning field goal.

ATLANTA, Georgia – Eduardo Hernandez kicked a 22-yard field goal with 31 seconds left to lift the Benedict Tigers to a 29-26 victory over the Morehouse Maroon Tigers on Saturday, spoiling Morehouse's Homecoming.

The Tigers won for the second week in a row and improved to 4-4 overall and 2-1 in the SIAC East. Morehouse fell to 6 overall and 0-3 in the SIAC East.

The winning field goal was a redemption of sorts for Hernandez. The sophomore kicker missed an extra point on Benedict's first touchdown, a quick-strike 72-yard pass from Brandon Thompson to Maurice Griffin on the Tigers' first offensive possession of the game. That point proved pivotal later when Morehouse's Hector Solis missed an extra point in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 19-19.

"When he missed that extra point, I was really disappointed in him," Benedict head coach James Woody said. "One thing he said was, 'OK, coach, I've got you.' I said, 'Eddie, this thing may come down to you, so be ready.' He came through in the clutch and I'm real, real proud of him."

The Tigers' defense held Morehouse to 68 yards rushing and 249 yards of total offense. Benedict registered four sacks and 10 tackles for loss in the game.

"Our defense, they bend but they don't break. They came up with some great opportunities on third-down situations," Woody said. "They got some big sacks in the second half. We kind of put a little pressure on them and I think that was the difference once we got some pressure on them."

For Benedict, Tavion Wright rushed for 126 yards, the first Benedict player to rush for more than 100 yards since Michael Adams had 115 yards against Miles in the final game of the 2010 season.

"He ran the ball very well. He had something to prove. He's been banged up a little bit this year. But that kid was runner-up for Mr. Football back in Ohio when he came out of high school. He really gave us a push in the running game and I'm happy he had a good game today."

Brandon Thompson, in his second game starting at quarterback, completed 16-of-26 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions.

Morehouse opened the game by taking the opening kickoff and driving to the Benedict 2-yard line, thanks to a 22-yard pickup on fourth-and-19 from the Benedict 32. But the Benedict defense held the Maroon Tigers out of the end on three rushing attempts, and Morehouse settled for a 21-yard field goal by Solis for a 3-0 lead.

On Benedict's first play from scrimmage, Thompson was supposed to pitch the ball to Harlon Samuels on a halfback pass, but kept the ball himself and sailed a bomb to a wide open Maurice Griffin running down the far sideline for a 72-yard scoring strike. Hernandez missed the extra point for a 6-3 Benedict lead.

Morehouse added a touchdown after a long drive to take a 10-6 lead. Benedict tacked on a 25-yard field goal by Hernandez early in the second quarter after the Tigers failed to score a touchdown on a first-and-goal from the 7, and the score remained 10-9 at the half.

A 35-yard pass helped move the Maroon Tigers to the Benedict 12-yard line on their opening drive of the second half. But the Benedict defense held them to a 32-yard field goal by Solis and Morehouse led 13-9 with 10:36 on the clock.

Benedict regained the lead on the next series. The Tigers drove 67 yards behind the running of Wright and a 32-yard pass from Thompson to Griffin. Then Thompson completed a 12-yard pass to Marcus Graham for the touchdown. Hernandez made the extra point to give the Tigers a 16-13 lead with 7:33 remaining in the third quarter.

Morehouse intercepted a Thompson pass at their own 4-yard line. The Maroon Tigers were pinned deep in their own territory, and Benedict's pressure nearly resulted in a safety. But Morehouse was able to punt the ball back to the Tigers, who took over in good field position. Benedict only moved the ball 15 yards, but that was enough for Hernandez to kick a 39-yard field goal and give Benedict a 19-13 lead with 2:05 left in the third.

The Maroon Tigers got a 50-yard punt return by Thomas Williams on their first possession of the fourth quarter, and capitalized on the good field position and Williams scored on a 3-yard run. Solis missed the extra point when it hit the right post. But a penalty on Benedict allowed Solis another attempt. This time, his extra point attempt missed to the left.

A fumble on the ensuing kickoff gave Morehouse the ball back. A 12-yard pass on third-and-7 gave the Maroon Tigers a first down at the Benedict 10. Two plays later, Williams ran it in from 9-yards out. Solis hit the extra point for a 26-19 Morehouse lead with 8:35 left in the game.

Benedict came right back. Rodney Hall returned the ensuing kickoff to near midfield, and Thompson connected with Samuels for a 32-yard pass. Wright scored on a 14-yard run and Hernandez's PAT tied the game at 26-26 with 6:55 on the clock.

Morehouse faced a fourth-and-six at midfield on the ensuing possession, but a fake punt resulted in just a four-yard rush by their punter, giving the ball back to the Tigers with 4:46 left to play.

"They had some great stops at the end. I'm very happy for the defense," Woody said.

Wright busted through the line for a 17-yard pickup, and then Thompson and Samuels connected again on third down for a 19-yard pass play to the Morehouse 15. From there, the Tigers kept the ball on the ground and worked the clock, setting Hernandez up with a short attempt and the winning points.

Samuels had seven catches for 104 yards. Griffin had four catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Tyri Harvey and Charles Powell led the Benedict defense with eight tackles each. Brandon Beech had six tackles, two sacks and a fumble recovery.

Benedict is back on the road next week to face Albany State.

BOX SCORE

COURTESY BENEDICT COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION