Homecoming Crashers! 4 Thrilling HBCU Football Upsets In Week 7
HOUSTON - In Week 7, four HBCU football teams fell at their Homecoming games on Saturday afternoon. It was the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! Texas Southern, Alabama State, Alabama A&M, and Edward-Waters were underdogs but became the "Homecoming Crashers" in the thrilling upsets against Bethune-Cookman, Jackson State, Grambling, and Tuskegee, respectively.
Lankford rushes for a touchdown.
The Bulldogs Attacked!
Grambling State was commemorating the field at Eddie G. Robinson Memorial Stadium in honor of James "Shack" Harris and Doug Williams when the Alabama A&M Bulldogs decided to crash the party. Quarterback Xavier Lankford passed for a touchdown, ran for two scores, and punted twice for the Bulldogs as they defeated the Tigers 45-24.
The game was knotted at 17 at halftime until Myles Crawley ran for a four-yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter. Coach Maynor's crew answered with 28 unanswered points to dash the hopes of the GSU faithful.
How will Grambling rebound from this one? Bethune-Cookman won't be a pushover on Oct. 28.
The Hornets Swarm and Sting!
Coach T.C. Taylor was excited about hosting his first Homecoming celebration at The Vet -- but didn't write this ending. The Hornets' defense attacked like African Killer Bees, creating three Tigers turnovers in the first half. Jackson State and Alabama State were tied at 10 going into halftime.
New placekicker Wossom booted a 45-yard field goal with 2:21 remaining in the 3rd period to lead 13-10 over the Hornets. Damon Stewart rushed for a 12-yard touchdown to cap off a 2-play, 45-yard drive in 42 seconds. Marcus Harris II notched a touchdown to carry ASU to the 24-13 lead with 8:52 on the 4th-quarter clock. Running back Desmond Moultrie found the endzone, but JSU failed on the 2-point conversion to trail 24-19. Instead of the Sonic Boom of the South playing JSU Rock You, I thought I heard them blaring, "One Monkey Don't Stop No Show." Knowing the Jacksonites, they will be partying until early Sunday morning!
On the Flipside, it was a good win for Coach Robinson. He has been on the hot seat; this will get the pressure off his back - for the moment.
H-Town Tigers Maul Wildcats
Daytona Beach was 82 degrees, Charlie Neal with HBCU GO was in the booth, and the Wildcats' Homecoming was about to be in full effect! Until Coach Clarence McKinney treated the Bethune-Cookman alums to a heavy dose of "The LaDarius Owens Show" and a 34-31 Homecoming loss. The senior running back rushed for 163 yards on 19 carries and three touchdowns for Texas Southern. He also added four kickoff returns for 142 yards, where his longest was 49 yards. The Tigers registered five sacks and 13 tackles for losses in the victory.
Texas Southern led 27-10 at intermission before Bethune-Cookman scored two touchdowns in the third stanza to climb closer, 27-24. Owens increased the Tigers advantage to 34-34 with 7:27 left in the game. Jaiden Bivens floated a touchdown pass to Luke Sprague with 36 seconds on the scoreboard to get with three at 34-31. TSU recovered the onside kick. Owens blazed through the Wildcats' defense for 42 yards and slid a yard short of his fourth touchdown to run out the clock.
Next week, Texas Southern will play host to Florida A&M at Shell Energy Stadium. After two straight wins, could the Tigers give the Rattlers problems on Saturday night? We shall see.
The Tigers Stun The Golden Lions!
A 46-yard "Hail Mary" pass by Edward Waters' Jyron Russell to Arsiah McCorker ruined the Homecoming gathering for Tuskegee. The Gold Lions would fall 41-38 in perhaps the most unlikely upset of the day. Tuskegee would recapture the lead at 38-35 with 25 seconds before time expired in the contest. It appeared Corey Petty's 11-yard pass to Christopher Roberson was the clincher. Wrong!
McCorker stole the game and the hearts from 'Skegee when he returned the final kickoff for 23 yards to the Tigers 35-yard line. With 16 seconds remaining, Russell completed a pass to Nathan Rembert for 19 yards at the TU 46-yard line. Two plays later, Russell recorded a win that shall live forever in Edward Waters folklore. Russell was not pressured with a 3-man rush when he tossed a perfect bomb toward the end zone, where McCorker took the football away from the Tuskegee defensive back for the win! Forget the stats. This victory was UNBELIEVABLE!
Tuskegee, 4-1, is handed its first conference loss, and Edward Waters improves to 4-2 in the SIAC.