Morgan Takes HU’s Homecoming in Thrilling Fashion

Ron Bailey, Publisher

October 19, 2008 – It was extra point time, as Howard’s junior running back Ramon McElratherby caught an eight yard pass, which he punched in for seemingly a tying score, in the back half of the second overtime. All that was necessary for triple OT was redshirt sophomore punter Patrick Wolff – subbing for another kicking stand in, junior Will Croner – scoring that single point. Heck, though a punter primarily he’s still a kicker, and the extra point should be a fait d’accompli right, particularly because Wolff calmly hit a field goal at regulation’s buzzer, thereby creating the overtime situation?

Wrong, as Wolf indicated “I just pushed the kick”, hitting the right upright. Resultantly Howard fell to Middle Eastern Athletic Association and geographical rival Morgan State, 31-30. Adding to the sting of defeat was the game’'s position as the school’s Homecoming tilt, in front of a well attended Greene Stadium crowd Saturday.

With Morgan's running game a focus, the line of scrimmage was the scene of many a collision.

The contest could have easily swung the other way: With fewer than 50 ticks left to play in the fourth quarter, Morgan State head coach Donald Hill-Eley informed senior kicker Johnathan Skeete to line up as if he planned to punt the ball deep from the team’s end zone. At that point, Hill-Eley shared afterward the plan was for “him to run around and take a knee”, producing a safety but simultaneously expending time.

With the score 17-14, the two point safety penalty would not have caused defeat, and it was unlikely Howard could gain the requisite number of yards after receiving a kickoff from Morgan’s 20, against what before this game was the NCAA’s Football Championship Subdivision’s number two ranked defense. Such was the plan.

Morgan's Devan James (34) on his ability to take 36 carries in route to 219 yards and the i95Ballerz.com MVP: "I was tired but I wasn't going to stop. That's why you do all that work".

“When you are dealing with 18 to 20 year olds, anything can happen” said Hill-Eley of his kicker’s decision to run out of the end zone, giving Howard the ball on Morgan’s 14 yard line. “That whole play might not get me to heaven, with the things I said to that young man afterward”.

Howard’s coach, Carey Bailey was critical of his own team’s miscues. “There were several opportunities that were missed” shared the coach who lamented the loss but lauded his team’s effort. “When the ball was on the ground we didn’t get on it. And there were miscues in the kicking game”.

That last point no only included the failed double overtime extra, but also fourth quarter missed and blocked field goals and a number of poor punts, leading to crippling field position for Howard’s Bison. “We wanted to get them on their side of the ball” noted Bailey of his team’s pre-game strategy, one not fulfilled; for the first 60 minutes, Howard started their drive on average at their 34 yard line, while the Morgan State Bears did so at their 47.

Howard battled back from an l0-0 first half deficit, putting 14 unanswered points on the board after intermission. The first touchdown was a 20 yard pass from junior quarterback Floyd Haigler (19-38, 4 touchdowns, 208 yards) to senior wideout Arlandus Hood, while Haigler later connected with freshmen wide receiver Will Carter (79 yards on five catches) from two yards out.

In a game full of twists, Howard's QB Floyd Haigler pooch kicked from his own endzone. His coach, Carey Bailey of the decision: "They have the number one defense in the country on 3rd down conversionis. We didn't want to punt on 4th down backed up".

During that period the Bison seized momentum by using four and five wide receiver sets, thereby spreading Morgan State’s defense. “They got back to what they do” noted Hill-Eley of Howard’s second stanza switch from a power to passing offensive attack. Bailey noted the same, while also attributing his team’s comeback to the squad “being able to calm down”.

The Bison would then ditch the pass centric formations, with Bailey crediting an injury to Carter and some dropped passes for the switch. “When they were up they changed back to the run game. It gave us a chance to get back in the game” opined Morgan’s Hill-Eley.

Also assisting the Bears in obtaining a lead was junior wide receiver Diamond Avery’s blocked field goal with 2:23 to go. Though the play ultimately led to their late game punting debacle, it nevertheless robbed Howard of three crucial points.

“We called it (a rush designed to open the middle) and got through the middle” recalled Avery of that crucial play. “We needed it”.

“That was by design…Diamond Avery’s a young man we asked all week to help out with that” shared Hill-Eley.

Drama filled contests are par for the course with these two schools – the last four games have ended in overtime.

The Bears (4-3), who were led by 219 yards on 36 carries by sophomore back Devan Jones – including a thrilling fourth down and two yard overtime run - host Delaware State for their homecoming next week, while Howard (1-5) travels to North Carolina A&T.