November 8, 2008 – ATLANTA – Quarterback William Brack rushed for three touchdowns and threw for three touchdowns to propel himself into the Morehouse record books and the team to a, 58-55, overtime win against the Kentucky State Thorobreds.

The game was the highest-scoring contest in Morehouse history. It featured more than 1,000 yards of offense by both teams, who scored nearly at will on every possession. The score surpassed the previous high of the 101-0 drubbing of the now-defunct Americus Institute, in 1919.

Brack, making only his third start of the season, completed 22-of-42 passes for 336 yards. His total puts him second all-time in the Morehouse record book, for single-game passing yardage behind Ruben DuPree, who threw for 424 yards, also against KSU, in 2006.

Gaining 31 yards, on 10 carries, Brack scored touchdowns of 5, 10 and 13 yards, including the game-winner in overtime.

Kentucky State got on the scoreboard first with two field goals. Morehouse bounced back for a 14-6 lead, at the end of the first quarter, on the strength of a 10-yard touchdown reception from Brack to Achille Hendje and a 1-yard run by Derrin Nettles, the 290-pound defensive lineman-turned halfback. Despite lining up in that formation several times during the season, it was the first time Nettles has run the ball.

In the second quarter, Morehouse outscored KSU 17-7. Receiver James Steadman made the first of several circus catches for a 16-yard touchdown and Christian Green rushed for a 26-yard TD, his first of the season. Micah Streiff hit a 40-yard field goal, with seconds left in the first half, to put the Maroon and White up 31-13.

The Thorobreds raced out of the locker room and outscored the Tigers 37-7 over the third and fourth quarters. A 35-yard touchdown pass from Brack to Tyjuan McFadden broke the Morehouse scoring drought and started a see-saw exchange of the lead.

Morehouse had no shortage of game-saving plays and heroes. Many of the big plays were made by seniors playing their last game at B.T. Harvey Stadium. The seniors and their loved ones were honored in a pre-game ceremony.

The game’s best drive came after KSU pulled ahead 49-45, with under two minutes remaining in regulation. It started with a 48-yard kickoff return by Jamar Rodriguez to the KSU 45 yard line and was sustained by a 16-yard clutch catch by Achille Hendje, on fourth-and-7. Still later, on third-and-15, Quincy Avery made a pressure catch-and-run for 21 yards that set up Brack’s 10-yard TD run, which put Morehouse ahead, 52-49.

In overtime, the Morehouse defense held KSU to a 25-yard field goal.

On its own possession, Morehouse used only two plays to put the game in the win column. Brack hit Avery for a 12-yard strike and a first down. Moments later Brack dropped back to pass, but seeing no one open, he charged 13 yards into the end zone, dragging a KSU defender, as jubilant teammates and fans stormed the field.

Maroon Tiger receivers had a field day, piling up 24 receptions for 375 yards. Steadman led the pack with 6 catches for 123 yards. Close behind was Hendje who caught five passes for 97 yards. Quincy Avery had his best day of the season, hauling in five balls for 71 yards.

Jamar Rodriguez solidified his claim as the SIAC’s best kick returner with seven kick returns for 209 yards and a punt return for eight yards.

Micah Streiff, the seven-time SIAC Special Teams Player of the Week, should be in contention again this week, with his busy day against the Thorobreds. Streiff punted the ball five times for a 33.2-yard average, kicked a 40-yard field goal and booted seven extra points.

The Morehouse win overshadowed career days by KSU running back Michael Wright and placekicker Aaron Chambers. Wright rushed for 258 yards and three touchdowns and Chambers kicked five field goals, including a 47-yarder, with three seconds left, that sent the game the overtime. KSU fell to 3-8 (1-8 SIAC)

Though they surrendered a season-high 560 yards of offense, the Morehouse was staunch when necessary.

Team tackling leader Jeffrey Cargile led the Maroon Tigers again in that category, recording 17 tackles and a half-sack. Earl “The Tiger” Thomas collected 10 tackles and Derrin Nettles and DaJuan Holmes registered eight tackles each. Holmes also had one-and-a-half sacks.

Running back Christian Green rushed for a season-high 56 yards and led the Maroon Tigers to their second 100-plus yards rushing game of the season.

Morehouse finishes the regular season at 6-4 (6-3 SIAC) and with a firm grip on second place in the conference.

Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 OT Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -- -----
Kentucky State Univ. 6 7 14 25 3 - 55 Record: (3-8-0,1-8)
Morehouse College... 14 17 7 14 6 - 58 Record: (6-4-0,6-3)

Scoring Summary:
1st 14:03 KSU - Chambers,Aaron 39 yd field goal, 5-38 0:57, KSU 3 - MHC 0
05:52 KSU - Chambers,Aaron 24 yd field goal, 13-67 5:37, KSU 6 - MHC 0
03:20 MHC - Hendje,Achille 10 yd pass from Brack,William (Streiff,Micah kick), 6-36 2:30, KSU 6 - MHC 7
00:13 MHC - Nettles,Derrin 1 yd run (Streiff,Micah kick), 3-35 1:02, KSU 6 - MHC 14
2nd 11:12 MHC - Steadman,James 16 yd pass from Brack,William (Streiff,Micah kick), 10-63 3:30, KSU 6 - MHC 21
06:11 MHC - Green,Christian 26 yd run (Streiff,Micah kick), 4-66 1:52, KSU 6 - MHC 28
02:42 KSU - Warner,Kevin 2 yd run (Chambers,Aaron kick), 10-60 3:08, KSU 13 - MHC 28
00:00 MHC - Streiff,Micah 40 yd field goal, 6-44 0:58, KSU 13 - MHC 31
3rd 12:14 KSU - Frieson,Shannon 8 yd blocked punt return (Chambers,Aaron kick), , KSU 20 - MHC 31
04:41 MHC - Brack,William 5 yd run (Streiff,Micah kick), 3-35 0:55, KSU 20 - MHC 38
04:14 KSU - Hayes,Chris 47 yd pass from Noland,Jerrell (Chambers,Aaron kick), 1-62 0:19, KSU 27 - MHC 38
4th 11:18 KSU - Chambers,Aaron 26 yd field goal, 6-32 2:03, KSU 30 - MHC 38
06:55 KSU - Wright,Michael 81 yd run (Noland,Jerrell rush failed), 9-54 3:19, KSU 36 - MHC 38
06:31 KSU - Wright,Michael 15 yd run (Warner,Kevin pass failed), 1-15 0:07, KSU 42 - MHC 38
05:03 MHC - McFadden,Tyjuan 35 yd pass from Brack,William (Streiff,Micah kick), 4-46 1:28, KSU 42 - MHC 45
03:05 KSU - Wright,Michael 28 yd run (Chambers,Aaron kick), 8-57 1:49, KSU 49 - MHC 45
00:52 MHC - Brack,William 10 yd run (Streiff,Micah kick), 9-60 1:54, KSU 49 - MHC 52
00:00 KSU - Chambers,Aaron 47 yd field goal, 18-0 15:46, KSU 52 - MHC 52
OT 15:00 KSU - Chambers,Aaron 25 yd field goal, 18-0 15:46, KSU 55 - MHC 52
15:00 MHC - Brack,William 13 yd run, 18-0 15:46, KSU 55 - MHC 58