CHICAGO, Ill. - Playing from the home of the Chicago Bears, Clark Atlanta University took the field versus Central State in the Chicago Football Classic and picked up the 20-13 victory. The win is the first in the three-game series for the Panthers versus the Marauders.
THE GAME
Score: Clark Atlanta 20; Central State 13
Records: Clark Atlanta (1-1; 1-1 SIAC); Central State (0-2; 0-1 SIAC)
Date: Sept. 10, 2016 | 3:30 pm Kickoff
Location: Soldier Field | Chicago, Ill.
Series: 3rd Meeting | CAU trails 1-2 | FIRST WIN IN SERIES
HOW IT HAPPENED
After forcing Central State to turn the ball over on 4th down, Clark Atlanta covered 43 yards on six plays ending with a
Jaha McCray seven yard scoring run with 11:11 left in the opening quarter.
Early in the second quarter CSU took the 7-6 lead.
CAU responded with a 40 yard drive over four plays with
Johnathon McCrary scrambling for the six yard touchdown run. The kick from
Carlos Saldana was good to give Clark Atlanta the 13-7 advantage.
A late touchdown from Central State tied the game, 13-13, after the opening half of play.
Mathew Daniels found the end zone to start the scoring in the second half with 1:56 left to play in the third quarter from four yards out. The play was set up with a long pass from McCrary to
Trenton Earl down the right sideline for 42 yards. Saldana added another PAT to give the Panthers the 20-13 advantage.
The game concluded with Central State driving before
Jacob Mitchell stepped in front of the pass and recorded the interception inside the CAU 10 as time expired.
OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
McCrary went 7-for-21 passing for 119 yards while
Dashawn Blow went 2-for-6 passing.
Earl paced a trio of receivers with two grabs covering 76 yards;
Dre Martin (23) and
Deandre Jackson (17) also had multiple receptions.
McCray covered 81 yards on 11 carries while Daniels rushed 14 times for 57 yards.
DEFENSIVE NUMBERS
Jaquatin Victrum posted 15 tackles to lead the Panthers while
Marquise Parker recorded 13 stops.
Kenneth Morgan had an interception and forced fumble to go along with eight tackles.
Mitchell tallied six tackles to go with the game-ending interception.
TEAM NUMBERS
Clark Atlanta had 60 plays on offense covering 348 yards.
The Panthers were flagged for 15 penalties for 186 yards, compared to five Marauder flags covering 45 yards.
CAU trailed the time of possession battle; 31:36 - 28:16.
Clark Atlanta held Central State to 4-for-15 on 3rd Down conversions and 0-for-4 on 4th Down attempts.
UP NEXT
Clark Atlanta travels to Fort Valley State on Sept. 17 with a 6:00 pm kick from Wildcat Stadium. The Panthers trail the all-time series versus the Wildcats 17-46-5.
