August 30, 2008 – COLUMBIA, SC – On a hot, muggy afternoon, in a game that featured defense and opening-day rustiness by both teams, Morehouse lost the season opener to the Benedict Tigers, 7-3, in the Palmetto Capital City Classic.
Morehouse amassed 157 yards of offense, while Benedict racked up 285 yards.
Morehouse won the passing battle, with 154 yards, to Benedict’s 89 yards, but Benedict out-gained Morehouse 196-3 in rushing yardage.
The Maroon Tigers’ only score came on a 40-yard field goal by placekicker Micah Streiff late in the second quarter. Early in the third quarter, a 27-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jerald Cook to wide receiver James Steadman was negated by a holding call.
Benedict scored on a 98-yard drive on 9 plays in the third quarter. Quarterback Kevin Reese carried the ball in from the one-yard line. He was named the game’s Most Valuable Player by the classic committee.
Cook got the start at quarterback for Morehouse and completed 11-of-17 passes for 144 yards. The senior from Birmingham, AL threw one interception and was sacked four times. In the fourth quarter, Cook was substituted for by the announced starter William Brack, who went 0-4. Brack was later replaced by Christian Sterling who completed 2-of-2 passes for 10 yards.
Steadman had a big day, catching four passes for 93 yards. His 38-yard reception helped set up the Streiff field goal. Steadman, a senior from Savannah, was named the Morehouse Most Valuable Player. Senior wide receiver Achille Hendje caught three passes for 28 yards.
Streiff, a senior from Decatur, picked up where he left off last year. The All-SIAC punter booted the ball four times for a 39.2-yard average. Three of his punts pinned Benedict inside their 12 yard line.
Senior defensive back Troy Shine and junior defensive lineman Derrin Nettles led the Morehouse defensive attack with 10 tackles each. Shine’s big play was a forced fumble at the Morehouse two-yard line that thwarted an almost certain scoring drive. Two of Nettles’ tackles were for loss and he registered a quarterback sack.
All-SIAC linebacker Jeffrey Cargile collected nine tackles, including three for loss, and sacked the Benedict quarterback twice. Linebacker Earl Thomas recorded nine tackles and a sack.
Linebacker Brandon Cunningham, who sat out last year, celebrated his return to the field with seven tackles. He returned a fumble 48 yards.
Starting running back Christian Green went down with a shoulder injury in the second quarter and was replaced by backup Sinclair Ridley-Thomas. Green is expected to play next week.
Morehouse will play Fort Valley State in Fort Valley, GA, Sunday at 2 p.m. The game will be televised on ESPNU.
