August 26, 2006 – COLUMBIA, SC – Starting off his senior season with a bang, running back Eddie Rowe rolled and rumbled through the Benedict College defense, scoring two touchdowns and leading the Maroon Tigers to a 25-24 victory in the 2006 opener.
Shedding the backup role he played for two seasons, Rowe racked up 178 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown run, which put Morehouse ahead for the third time in the see-saw game. Rumbling repeatedly through the line with speed and power, Rowe had some Morehouse fans whispering, “John David Who?” The 6’-0” 210-pound senior from Atlanta had his best game ever in a Morehouse uniform. His yardage totaled more than half of the 352 he gained last season.
Quarterback Carlos King also had a stellar afternoon, leading the Maroon Tigers with his arm and his legs. King threw for a touchdown, rushed for a touchdown and displayed calm and confident leadership in a tense road game before a hostile crowd.
King’s longest run of 11 yards, came on third and long, late in the fourth quarter, which gained a valuable first down and allowed Morehouse to keep possession and run out the clock. He finished with 109 yard on 7-of-13 passing and no interceptions and he gained 48 yards on the ground.
Both King and Rowe benefited from the outstanding play of a big and quick offensive line that ripped gaping holes in the Benedict defense. The Morehouse front five of All-SIAC linemen Bryant Ervin and Claiborne Green, along with Michael Robinson, Ross Thompson and Joseph Williams, battered the Benedict front line.
Gaining 374 yards and allowing no sacks in the season’s first game, the O-line picked up where it left off last season, as one of the top three in the conference.
James Steadman caught the winning touchdown with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. His wide open catch in the end zone resulted on a blown coverage by the Benedict secondary that left two defenders staring at each other in bewilderment as Steadman hauled in the 26-yard pass from King.
Morehouse linebacker Scorpio Brown preserved the razor-thin margin of victory with a fourth quarter interception. The 6’-4” 220-pound junior from Newport News, Va. picked off the errant pass on the eight-yard lined that halted a determined drive by the Benedict Tigers.
The Maroon Tiger defense collected two interceptions, three sacks and held seven Benedict rushers to 147 yards. Strong safety Robert Harris led all tacklers with 11. Linebacker Eric Shelton chipped in with eight tackles, and William McKnight and Scorpio Brown contributed six apiece.
Morehouse will travel to Fort Valley next week to face the Wildcats who squeaked by Clark Atlanta today 9-8.
