Atlanta, GA – Central State scored 31 unanswered points over the middle two quarters to deal Clark Atlanta a 48-21 loss on homecoming.
The Panthers matched the Marauders’ offensive production 403 yards – 407 yards but lost the battle of the yellow flag. Clark Atlanta was penalized 10 times for 105 yards.
Marauders quarterback Kendall Boney rushed for 115 yards on 16 carries and completed 10 of his 16 passes for 236 yards and two touchdowns. Panthers defenders Elijah Williams, Evan Wynn, and Aderrius Barron managed to sack Boney three times for a loss of 11 yards.
Jeremiah Gibbs scored on a 16-yard run to cap a 7-play, 78-yard drive to give the Panthers its only lead of the game. Gibbs led the Panthers rushing attack finishing the day with 83 yards on 11 carries.
Three minutes later the lead was gone. Boney’s 38-yard pass to Brandon Brock gave the Marauders its best opportunity for a touchdown. Aaron Kennebrew cashed in on it with a 6-yard run.
Linebacker Chaz Hunter picked off Henry Williams, Jr. to give the ball back to the Marauders offense.
The visitors from Wilberforce, Ohio added another touchdown and a field goal to go into the half up 20-7.
Halftime included a stellar performance by the Invincible Marching Marauders who made the trip south with the team.
Boney added his first passing touchdown of the game to start the third. He found sophomore receiver TJ Gregory at the 5-yard line with Panthers defensive back Andrew Bloodsaw in tight coverage. Gregory spun out of Bloodsaw’s grasp and high-stepped into the end zone to complete the 32-yard scoring play.
The Marauders’ next scoring play didn’t take nearly as long if 1:26 is considered long. Boney’s short pass to Zavier Price turned into a 65-yard stroll down the sideline—total elapsed time: 16 seconds.
The Panthers finally answered back with a 13-play, 60-yard drive. Kendell Wimberly out-jumped freshman defensive back Devon Buskin, Jr. in the front of the end zone.
Central State special teams blocked a punt and recovered the ball in the end zone to tie up the Marauders’ scoring.
The loss was the Panthers’ eighth consecutive loss of the season and 11th since 2022. Central State improved to 3-5 (2-4) on the season.
GAME PHOTOS
All photos by Jason McDonald, JM Photography for CORE360 Sports.