Sunday, November 4, 2018

Late Score, Gutsy Call Lift WVSU Yellow Jackets to Victory


URBANA, Ohio  -- The Yellow Jackets came into Saturday's football game at Urbana with their backs solidly against the wall.

But the WVSU players and coaching staff handled it well as the Yellow Jackets earned "had to have" 31-28 win.

Going into the game the Jackets had a 4-5 record with two games to play. Easy to see that you have to won both to post a second straight winning record and keep the momentum the staff and players had worked so hard to build going.

That pressure was bearing down on them as they trailed 28-24 midway through the final period.

But the Jackets' Brooks Parsons blocked an Urbana punt inside the Blue Knight 20 and WVSU recovered at the five. Three plays later Dylan Lucas scored on a 2-yard run with 7:54 to play.

"Our roughness and belief in each other was on full display today," said Head Coach John Pennington. "It started with a 5:45 a.m. meeting, drove to Urbana, down 11 at halftime and found a way to win."

Pennington had to call on that belief down the stretch.

With 3:23 remaining and facing a fourth down and one situation on the WVSU 41 Pennington did not want to give the ball away with that much time remaining.

He called for a fake punt. Up man Rhys Jelich took the direct snap from center and the senior fullback drove for eight yards.

"I am so proud of our team and coaching staff for their performance today, " Pennington said. "Especially, our defense and special teams."

"Special Teams made some huge plays to give us field position and seal the game at the end with a fake punt."

Carl Garmon led the ground game with 142 yards. Quarterback Faustino Saucedo was 16-26 passing for 168 yards with junior Zach Pate catching six passes for 88 yards.

WVSU closes out the season Saturday when West Virginia Wesleyan comes to town. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. and it will be Senior Day.

 WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
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