Let this serve as a message to all HBCU teams: Don’t invite good teams for homecoming. Miles College laid a Jimmy Snuka smack-down on Clark Atlanta 49-28 ruining the Panthers’ hopes of grabbing a share of first place and getting a win on Homecoming day.
An invitation to be a team’s homecoming opponent is well-regarded in HBCU football as disrespectful. A few of the Golden Bears were overheard before the start of the game saying they were on a homecoming tour. Miles travels to Columbia, SC next week as Benedict’s Homecoming opponent.
Coach Dickerson, Jr. and the Tigers better be ready.
The Panthers opened the season 4-0 before losing a tough one to Savannah State by a touchdown. They rebounded last week with a 25-20 win over Central State in Wilberforce, OH.
In that game, the Panthers jumped out early with a touchdown on their first drive of the game. Quarterback David Wright III kept the momentum going seven days later with a 1-yard touchdown that capped a 10-play, 54-yard drive.
What seemed like a dream for the Homecoming fans through the first seven minutes quickly began resembling a nightmare. A really bad nightmare and the Golden Bears were the Boogeyman, Freddy Krueger, and Candyman all rolled into one.
Miles’ special teams John Robinson blocked Leonardo Cabrera’s punt that was recovered in the end zone by 6’6” Tifton Dobbs for the Golden Bears’ first touchdown.
Jaylon Person ran down a 20-yard pass from Khalil Anglin in the end zone for the offense’s first touchdown. It wouldn’t be their last.
The Golden Bears added three touchdowns in the third quarter. Alcorn State transfer Javonta Leatherwood ripped a 27-yard run straight through the teeth of the Panthers’ defense. Leatherwood led all rushers with 83 yards on 6 carries and two touchdowns.
Golden Bears defensive coordinator Chris Shelling and defensive backs coach Antonio Langham had the Wright answer. They dialed up pressure forcing Wright to look for the quick throws. When he did the DBs jumped routs. The pressure by the front four allowed the outside linebackers to float to the flats. The final stats show Wright with only two interceptions because linebackers can’t catch. The defense dropped three sure picks and had a fourth called back because of interference by the Golden Bears’ sideline.
Looking at the Panthers’ 475 yards of offense would make one think the score was closer. Clark Atlanta scored a touchdown over the final two quarters but it wasn’t enough.
Anglin found Franck Pierre in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown followed by a defensive score. Wright’s first pass of the ensuing drive landed in the hands of Miles’ defensive back Keidarris Griffin for a quick pick-six.
Despite the opposition’s scoring, the Panthers had been down like this in Daytona and fought back to beat Bethune Cookman. Whatever was in the Panthers’ that day was not available today. On Homecoming. In front, of tons of alumni. It was not to be.
Miles scored two more touchdowns including a 39-yarder from Leatherwood midway through the fourth.
Benedict went into overtime to take down Allen 34-27 in a neighborhood scrap. Miles thumped Allen 33-13 a few weeks ago. Benedict will need to stay on pace against the Golden Bears. Clark Atlanta will have a week off before they welcome Tuskegee to Panther Stadium.
Game Photos
All Photos by Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports.