White Team Edges Maroon in Spring Football Game, 24-20
RICHMOND, Ky. – The Eastern Kentucky University football team wrapped up its spring practice season with the annual Maroon-White scrimmage Thursday night at Roy Kidd Stadium. The White team scored the game-winning touchdown with 23 seconds remaining to prevail by a score of 24-20.
Nearly 1,000 fans came out to see a tale of two halves by the football squad. Defense dominated the opening half as five interceptions were recorded in the first 24 minutes of action. Newcomer Tyrell Curry opened the scoring on the second possession of the game by returning an interception 70 yards for a White touchdown.
In the second quarter, a huge hit by Maroon defensive lineman Daryl Taylor on the White quarterback resulted in another turnover, this time an interception by linebacker Trey Thomas. Five plays later, running back Bo Brooks punched the ball into the end zone from one-yard out to even the score at 7-all.
Kicker Andrew Lloyd added a pair of field goals late in the first half, including a 42-yarder to give the Maroon side a 13-7 lead at the break.
The second half featured three long scoring drives by the offense. Quarterback Barton Mann took the White team on an impressive six-minute, 96-yard drive at the end of the third quarter to put the White team back on top, 17-13. The key play on that drive was a 38-yard pass from Mann to wide receiver Kiante Northington on 3rd-and-21 from the four-yard line to extend the drive.
Just minutes later, quarterback Jared McClain engineered a scoring drive for the Maroon squad. Facing 4th-and-3 at the White team's 34-yard line, McClain hit wide out Jeff Glover on a perfect slant pass for 31 yards. Three plays later, McClain rumbled into the end zone to give the Maroon team a 20-17 advantage.
However, the White squad had the final say in the outcome. Grinding out 12 plays for 81 yards, the White team methodically moved the ball down the field in the waning minutes. Newcomer Channing Fugate carried the ball the final five yards into the end zone to give the White team the victory.
Fugate and fellow running backs Caleb Watkins and Dy'Shawn Mobley each averaged more than five yards per carry. McClain finished 11-of-17 through the air for 139 yards while Glover posted a team-best 72 yards receiving.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jeffrey Canady led all players with eight stops. Curry, Thomas, Brandon Stanley, Jalen Rose, Theron Norman and Vincent Greenall tallied interceptions.
NOTE: The week wraps up with a '5K Walk/Run for Haiti' to be held on Saturday, April 26. All proceeds from the event will be used to help fund EKU football's upcoming mission trip to assist the Hands & Feet Project in Jacmel, Haiti.
EKU head football coach Dean Hood and select players are scheduled to travel to Haiti in May to help build new facilities for the Hands & Feet Project's orphanage. The orphanage, which originally started with only 5-10 kids, now has more than 100.
Nearly 1,000 fans came out to see a tale of two halves by the football squad. Defense dominated the opening half as five interceptions were recorded in the first 24 minutes of action. Newcomer Tyrell Curry opened the scoring on the second possession of the game by returning an interception 70 yards for a White touchdown.
In the second quarter, a huge hit by Maroon defensive lineman Daryl Taylor on the White quarterback resulted in another turnover, this time an interception by linebacker Trey Thomas. Five plays later, running back Bo Brooks punched the ball into the end zone from one-yard out to even the score at 7-all.
Kicker Andrew Lloyd added a pair of field goals late in the first half, including a 42-yarder to give the Maroon side a 13-7 lead at the break.
The second half featured three long scoring drives by the offense. Quarterback Barton Mann took the White team on an impressive six-minute, 96-yard drive at the end of the third quarter to put the White team back on top, 17-13. The key play on that drive was a 38-yard pass from Mann to wide receiver Kiante Northington on 3rd-and-21 from the four-yard line to extend the drive.
Just minutes later, quarterback Jared McClain engineered a scoring drive for the Maroon squad. Facing 4th-and-3 at the White team's 34-yard line, McClain hit wide out Jeff Glover on a perfect slant pass for 31 yards. Three plays later, McClain rumbled into the end zone to give the Maroon team a 20-17 advantage.
However, the White squad had the final say in the outcome. Grinding out 12 plays for 81 yards, the White team methodically moved the ball down the field in the waning minutes. Newcomer Channing Fugate carried the ball the final five yards into the end zone to give the White team the victory.
Fugate and fellow running backs Caleb Watkins and Dy'Shawn Mobley each averaged more than five yards per carry. McClain finished 11-of-17 through the air for 139 yards while Glover posted a team-best 72 yards receiving.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Jeffrey Canady led all players with eight stops. Curry, Thomas, Brandon Stanley, Jalen Rose, Theron Norman and Vincent Greenall tallied interceptions.
NOTE: The week wraps up with a '5K Walk/Run for Haiti' to be held on Saturday, April 26. All proceeds from the event will be used to help fund EKU football's upcoming mission trip to assist the Hands & Feet Project in Jacmel, Haiti.
EKU head football coach Dean Hood and select players are scheduled to travel to Haiti in May to help build new facilities for the Hands & Feet Project's orphanage. The orphanage, which originally started with only 5-10 kids, now has more than 100.