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Howard Loses On Field Goal In Overtime |
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Written by Media Relations
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Sunday, 14 October 2007 |
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Baltimore, MD—October 13—James Meade nailed a 23-yard field goal in overtime to lift Morgan State to a 36-33 win over Howard University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference game before 14,987 at Hughes Stadium.
Meade’s game winner was set up during the Bears’ possession in the extra period following six straight running plays that got the ball down to the Howard six-yard line. After Howard called a timeout to “freeze” him, the 5-9 junior from Upper Marlboro, MD, split the uprights and the record homecoming erupted in celebration.
The Bison, who had twice rallied from 10 points down twice, saw their opportunity wasted with their possession in overtime. After rushing for almost 200 yards, they were only able to gain four yards and were forced to attempt a 39-yard field goal. Dennis Wiehberg, who two weeks ago hit the game winner over Winston-Salem State, saw this one go wide left.
“We ran the ball well against them during regulation,” said Howard quarterback Brian Johnson. “But give Morgan State credit. They came up with a great stand (in overtime).”
That opened the door for Meade’s kick.
“We didn’t have a great game kicking and we left six points on the field,” lamented a
disappointed Howard head coach Carey Bailey. “We also gave up some big plays on the defensive side.”
Morgan State (4-3 overall, 3-1 in the MEAC) had taken a 33-23 lead midway through the fourth quarter on a 35-yard touchdown run by Devan James (19 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD).
Then Howard (2-4 overall, 0-3) rallied on a 21-yard field goal by Wiehberg and a 12-yard TD pass from Brian Johnson to Jarahn Williams to send the game into the extra period.
“It shows that we have the resiliency, but we have got to be able to finish,” said Bailey.
The Bears, who had been outscored 35-7 in the first quarter this season, surprised the Bison by taking a 10-0 lead six minutes into the game. Byron Selby (11 of 20, 216 yards, 1 TD) and Chad Simpson hooked up for an 84-yard screen pass and Meade hit the first of three field goals—this one from 38 yards out—to give Morgan State the advantage.
The Bison re-grouped and scored 17 straight points to take a 17-10 lead following a Johnson 10-yard run up the middle, a 46-yard jaunt by Karlos Whittaker (9 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD) and a 34-yard field goal by Wiehberg.
Morgan State answered when Simpson scored from two yards out. Howard countered when Johnson connected with Michael Harper from 32 yards out to take a brief 23-17 lead before Morgan State answered on a two-yard pass from Mario Melton to Justin Lawrence.
The Bison defense limited the Bears running game to 154 yards rushing, almost 100 under their average. Simpson, who came into the game ranked among the leaders in the nation in rushing, was held to 15 yards on 13 carries before leaving the game with an injury. But he caught two passes 106 yards. Howard proved to be effective against the run, the secondary was victimimized after losing both the starting cornerbacks.
“It was huge losing both starting corners,” explained Bailey. “But we still needed guys to step up and they did. They did for the most part but we had some mental breakdowns.”
It was Meade again who proved to be a factor as he hit 43-yard field goal to give the Bears a 26-23 advantage at halftime.
Neither team was able to generate much offense in a fast-moving third quarter, but Morgan State appeared to all but put it away on James’ TD run.
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