Morehouse defeats Clark Atlanta

By Bill Sanders

For the AJC

Morehouse had just enough grit and talent to gut out an ugly 17-7 win over Clark Atlanta on Saturday.

With the win, Morehouse (7-2, 5-2 SIAC) kept alive its slim chances of playing in the postseason. Clark (4-5, 3-4) will play Benedict on Saturday for a shot at a .500 season.

Morehouse kicker Ian Mullen kicked a 42-yard field goal in the third quarter to put Morehouse ahead, 10-7, a lead they would not relinquish. Saturday was the culmination of a rough week for the kicker, who missed two key extra points last week in a 13-12 loss to Albany State.

“I was happy for him,” Morehouse coach Rich Freeman said. “I think it did a lot for him because he was really down.”

Freeman credited Clark’s defense, but also said his team played as if it were emotionally drained from last week.

“It took a tremendous toll on our players and coaches,” Freeman said. “It was devastating, and it rocked our team. It’s tough to get them up after a week like that. I was telling them after that emotional loss that we had to get it off our minds, but that's easier said than done."

This one though was going to be a game that could make Clark Atlanta’s season or break Morehouse’s.

For the first half, there was no evidence that Morehouse was the 6-2 team still clinging to playoff hopes -- particularly on offense.

The Maroon Tigers came out on defense with a vengeance, sacking and then hurrying Clark quarterback Kyle Lacy into throwing an interception on Clark’s first possession. Five plays later, Morehouse quarterback Donnay Ragland ran in from 8 yards out, giving Morehouse an early lead.

But that would be the only sign of life for Morehouse's offense until late in the game, when third-string quarterback DaJuan Thigpen led the Maroon Tigers down the field on several nice runs, setting up the last touchdown.

Clark’s Winston Thompson took an option pitch and ran for 53 yards, tying the game early in the second quarter. And that would be it for Clark's offense.

The Maroon Tigers’ starting quarterback Byron Ingram missed the game because of a concussion he suffered last week. But Ragland and Thigpen had earned playing time regardless.

No matter who took the snaps, Clark’s defensive front applied enough pressure to keep the passing game off balance. Morehouse managed only 17 yards passing in the first half and 77 total yards. For the game, Morehouse had 141 yards to Clark’s 229. Morehouse completed five passes for 17 yards.

“They just gave a good effort against us,” Thigpen said. “On that last drive, we needed some big plays and we needed to gel and make it happen, and we did.”

Freeman said he was happy to escape with a win, but wasn’t happy with how his offense played.

“Of course not,” Freeman said. “But we did enough to win and ran time pretty good and had some fun. So I’m happy to have fun and win.

Morehouse’s David Carter gained 100 yards on 24 caries. Thompson gained 103 yards on 19 carries for Clark.