October 17, 2009 – JACKSON, TN – Trailing the Dragons for most of the game, the Maroon Tigers staged a furious fourth-quarter rally and pulled out a 35-33 win, to spoil the Lane College Homecoming.
Behind in the score, 27-14, with just over nine minutes remaining, Morehouse scored three touchdowns to pull out the victory and improve the season record to 5-2 (4-2 SIAC).
Quarterback William Brack fueled the comeback, orchestrating scoring drives of 75 and 81 yards, in just over three minutes. The junior from Memphis started the game but was yanked in the first quarter in favor of backup DaJuan Thigpen, who completed 13-of-23 passes.
When he returned in the fourth quarter, Brack promptly completed long passes to Achille Hendje and Robert Darby-McNair. The passes set up running back David Carter who scampered untouched into the end zone from 20 yards out, for his second touchdown of the day. The score cut the Lane lead to 27-21. Carter finished the day with 125 rushing yards.
Brack struck three minutes later, with a 13-yard TD pass to Hendje who was wide open in the end zone. Two plays earlier Brack and Hendje had connected for a 64-yard completion. The TD gave Morehouse its first lead.
Hendje, the SIAC’s second-leading receiver, finished with seven catches for 152 yards. David Hart caught four passes for 49 yards.
Despite surrendering 348 yard, the second-highest of the season, the defense played big, when it counted, scoring two touchdowns on forced fumbles.
Linebacker Charlie Wilson scored the first defensive touchdown, when he pounced on an errant snap in the end zone. Wilson led all defenders, with 12 tackles, including three sacks.
Defensive back Olajawaun Gooch scored the second defensive touchdown, with an 81-yard fumble recovery that put Morehouse up 35-27.
Lane responded with a 65-yard touchdown drive, but the Maroon Tigers halted the two-point conversion that would have tied the score.
Brandon Cunningham had eight tackles. Elijah Anderson, Jarron McCormick and Justin Oliver had five each. Oliver and DeAngelo Julks picked off interceptions.
The loss, which dropped the Dragons to 0-7 (0-5 SIAC), spoiled a stellar performance by Lane quarterback Dwayne Cross who rushed for 164 and three touchdowns and passed for two touchdowns.
Kicker Ian Mullen had another solid day, hitting 5-of-5 extra points, and punting five times for a 34.2-yard average. Three of his punts pinned the Dragons inside their own 20 yard line.
In the most anticipated game of the season, Morehouse will face cross-campus rival Clark Atlanta, in the Homecoming game, Saturday at 2 p.m.
