Morehouse Wins Triple Overtime Thriller Over Tuskegee 30-24 To Remain Undefeated

COLUBUS, Georgia -- Morehouse College again found a way to win in thrilling fashion as they defeated Tuskegee University, 30-24, in triple overtime in the 83rd Tuskegee-Morehouse Classic on Saturday afternoon at A.J. McClung Stadium in Columbus, Ga.

The Maroon Tigers remain undefeated as they improve to 6-0, 2-0 SIAC while the Golden Tigers fall to 3-3, 1-1 SIAC.

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With only 1:33 remaining in the game and down 17-10, Morehouse went into their bag of tricks as sophomore running back Frank Bailey, Jr. (Atlanta, GA) found junior wide receiver Tremell Gooden (Atlanta, GA) on a five yard halfback pass on forth down for the touchdown tying the game at 17-17. The Maroon Tiger defense would hold for the remainder of the half forcing overtime.

In the first overtime both teams missed wide left as MHC's sophomore kicker Fernando Sdelamora (Fairburn, GA) couldn't connect from 36 yards out while Tuskegee's kicking Huskic Arnes missed from 46 yards.

In the second overtime Golden Tigers wide receiver Javarrius Cheatham scored a touchdown on a reverse from 10 yards out giving TU a 24-17 lead. It didn't take long for the Maroon Tigers to response as sophomore running back Santo Dunn (Griffin, GA) scampered into the endzone from 16-yards out tying the score at 24-24.

In the third overtime Dunn continued his electrifying play as he scored the go-ahead touchdown, this time from 14 yards out giving Morehouse the 30-24 lead. The stingy Maroon Tiger defense would hold the Tuskegee offense at bay on a fourth one for the 30-24 victory.

The Morehouse offense was led again by Dunn who finished with 125 rushing yards on 18 carries and three touchdowns and a long TD run of 42 yards against the SIAC's top defense. Sophomore quarterback Michael Sims (Detroit, MI) was 24-of-32 for 196 yards while Gooden caught four passes and a touchdown.

Defensively MHC got a dominating effort from All-SIAC pre-season selection, senior Antonio Johnson (Birmingham, AL) as finished the day with six tackles, three sacks, and five quarterback hurries. Junior linebacker Julien Turner (Pickerington, OH) finished with a game-high 12 tackles and one sack. Junior Edward Nelson (Chester, PA) had a strong performance as he finished with four tackles and two sacks on the day.

Morehouse led in passing yards 201-145 while Tuskegee led in rushing yards 197-170. Overall the Maroon Tigers had 371 total yards to TU's 342. MHC committed a season-high 13 penalties for 108 yards.

The Maroon Tiger return to the friendly confines of B.T. Harvey Stadium this upcoming Saturday, Oct. 13, as they host the Golden Rams of Albany State University in a eastern division battle. Kick-Off is set for 6 p.m.

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