Edward Waters recorded a school-record nine turnovers to propel the Tigers from DuVal to a 28-11 road victory over Morehouse in week one. It was officially the program’s first as a Division II member.
First-year Morehouse College Head Coach Terrance Mathis struck first with a touchdown on the home team’s first offensive play of the game. Junior quarterback Khamar Carlisle (Therrell HS) fired a strike deep to a wide-open junior wide receiver Ajani Williams (Sandy Creek). Williams outran EWU senior defensive back De’Angelo Sapp to the endzone for the Maroon Tigers’ first touchdown of the year.
Sapp had his revenge later by picking off two passes for interceptions. The senior picked off a Carlisle pass and returned it to the five-yard line to set up the visitors’ first touchdown. Later in the half, the senior DB made a leaping over-the-shoulder catch for an interception in front of the Morehouse bench.
Three other Tigers recorded interceptions in the game including sophomore safety Stephan French, junior DB Darryl Roberts, Jr, and defensive lineman Davari Williams. Williams, a true freshman from Miami, caught a carom off the chest of French, turned, and raced down the sideline into the red zone.
Tigers Head Coach Toriano Morgan praised his defense for keeping them in the game until the offense found its stride in the second half. He particularly noted the improvement of the secondary. “We knew that was an area that needed improvement coming into the season and I feel like we improved today,” said Morgan.
The interception didn’t result in points for the Tigers. Morehouse’s defense shut the door and forced a field goal attempt clanged off the left upright back towards the goal line.
A fumble by the Morehouse running back on the ensuing drive negated the momentum supplied by the defense. French recovered the loose ball for Edward Waters.
It was a common theme throughout the game. The defense would make a stop and the Maroon Tigers offense couldn’t do anything with it largely because the receivers could not make the catch or a turnover ended the drive.
“We beat ourselves today,” exclaimed Mathis. “You can’t turn the ball over seven times. I don’t care if it’s pee-wee league or high school and expect to win a football game.”
The M-Tigers defense recorded two safeties. The first safety was credited to the special teams. A squibbed snap forced EWU punter Riley Williams to make a split-second executive decision and fall on the ball in the end zone. The play was made possible by a sack by the M-Tigers defensive end that was ruled down at the one-yard line.
Morehouse’s defensive line added a second safety early in the second half tackling a Tigers ball-carrier in the end zone on EWUs first offensive play of the half. The M-Tigers had a few drives that stalled in the red zone due to mental errors.
Mathis is confident the majority of the mistakes can be fixed. He and his staff have a week to fix things before the Bulls of Johnson C. Smith (CIAA) arrive in Atlanta.
Game and Halftime Photos
All photos by Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports