ROME, Ga. - Trailing all game, the Clark Atlanta University Panthers came from behind in the fourth quarter at Shorter for the 27-23 victory. Shorter was driving to the end the game as time expired after the Hawk quarterback was tackled in bounds inside the CAU 10 yard line.

THE GAME
Score: Clark Atlanta 27; Shorter 23
Records: Clark Atlanta (4-2), Shorter (0-6    
Date: Oct. 6, 2016 | 7:00 pm Kickoff
Location: Barron Stadium | Rome, Ga.
Series: 2nd Meeting | Series tied 1-1

HOW IT HAPPENED:
CAU trailed early after a bad snap on a punt on the opening drive of the game. Shorter took over and covered 33 yards in five plays for the 7-0 lead.

After swapping punts, Johnathon McCrary was intercepted by the Shorter defense with 2:00 left in the opening quarter. At that point he was just 2-for-8 passing for 26 yards.

After being pinned inside the CAU15, the Panthers saw pressure from the Hawks defense that resulted in a safety as McCrary was flagged for intentional grounding from inside the end zone. Shorter lead Clark Atlanta 9-0 with 11:45 left before halftime.

Shorter scored on a 35-yard touchdown pass as the Hawks released the fullback into the flat and took advantage of the CAU pass coverage. With 5:20 left before halftime the Panthers trailed 16-0 and had amassed just 39 yards of offense.

Clark Atlanta responded with a nine play 71 yard drive that ended with McCrary finding Trenton Earl on the 14 scoring pass. Earl held onto the ball despite being hit hard in the end zone that resulted in the defensive back from Shorter being ejected for targeting. With 2:40 left in the first half CAU trailed 16-7.

CAU lined up for a 40 yard FG by Wonseleah Yleah but the kick was blocked by the Hawks with 54 seconds left to play in the first half.

Shorter started the second half with a 8 play drive for 63 yards resulting in a rushing score to extend the home advantage back to 23-7 with 11:25 left in the third quarter.

After having a short field following a dead-ball penalty against Shorter following a short punt, CAU drove 37 yards in four plays that ended with McCrary finding Jaha McCray for the 19 yard touchdown reception. McCray caught the ball near the 10- and was able to spin off a defender and work his way to the front pylon for the score. Yleah missed the PAT leaving the Panthers to trail 23-13 with 5:03 to play in the third quarter.

Clark Atlanta opened the fourth quarter driving on the Hawks but failed on a 4th-and-goal pass inside the SU05. The Panther defense turned in a strong effort forcing the punt. Deandre Jackson fielded the punt at midfield and advanced to the Shorter 45.

Clark Atlanta went the 45 yards in eight ending with McCrary fumbling the ball at the SU2 before the center, Darius Preyer  recovered the loose ball and converted for the TD. Yleah added the PAT to pull CAU within three points, 23-20, with 5:36 left in the game.

Following another Hawk punt the Panthers covered 79 yards in five plays as McCrary threw his third touchdown pass of the game finding Johnathan Sanders for the 48 yards TD. Yleah added the PAT to give the Panthers the 27-23 lead with 1:09 left in the game.

Shorter drove down the field and was within scoring range when the quarterback scrambled and was tackled in bounds with five seconds remaining. With no timeouts remaining the clock continued to tick away until zeroes were on the scoreboard.

OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
Matthew Daniels rushed for 48 yards on 12 carries while McCray tallied 45 rushing yards.

Dre Martin led the receiving corps with six receptions for 59 yards.

McCrary tossed three scoring passes while going 22-for-39 for 289 yards. He was sacked three times and rushed seven times for 24 yards.

DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Jacob Mitchell led the defense with 10 tackles. This was his second double-digit tackling performance of the season.

Jaquatin Victrum added nine stops with seven each from Julian Colvard and Kamari Jackson.

TEAM NUMBERS
Clark Atlanta outgained Shorter 386 - 371 in total offense aided by 289 passing yards and 97 yards on the ground.

CAU went 4-for-11 on third down while Shorter was 8-for-18 on third down.

The Panthers were able to score on 3-of-4 red zone chances while the Hawks were successful on 2-of-3 opportunities.

UP NEXT
Clark Atlanta returns home on Oct. 15 for Homecoming versus Benedict at 2:00 p.m.