Tigers survive Boll Weevils in 42-37 shootout
· Yahoo Sports
East Central and Arkansas-Monticello were locked in an old-fashioned shootout well into Thursday night’s matchup inside Koi Ishto Stadium.
With the Tigers clinging to a 35-31 lead deep into the fourth quarter, they desperately needed a big defensive play. Cornerback Amin White delivered two in a row, helping East Central seal a tense 42-37 victory.
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Coach John Litrenta’s team improved to 2-0, while the Boll Weevils fell to 0-2 and have now lost eight straight games overall.
White delivered back-to-back jarring hits. The first stopped UAM receiver RJ Hariston in his tracks for a 1-yard gain. The second jarred the ball loose from Stran Smith, and East Central’s 6-foot-1, 315-pound nose guard Elijah Alexander pounced on the fumble.
The turnover set up the Tiger offense at the UAM 41-yard line with 6:40 remaining.
East Central then leaned on bruising tailback Quincy Thompson to march down the field.
Quarterback Sergio Kennedy capped the time-milking drive by faking a handoff to Thompson, rolling to his right and, with three UAM defenders giving chase, flipping the ball to receiver Combs for an easy 4-yard touchdown. Gabriel Ogura’s PAT pushed the ECU lead to 42-31 with 1:52 to play.
To Arkansas-Monticello backup quarterback Drew Forkner’s credit, he guided the Boll Weevils quickly down the field. He zipped three passes into tight windows for gains of 20, 18 and 16 yards, getting UAM in position for a 15-yard touchdown strike to Michael Lott.
An East Central penalty gave the Boll Weevils a pair of two-point opportunities, but neither attempt was successful. The visitors had trimmed their deficit to 42-37 with 1:10 showing. The drive covered 69 yards in just 64 seconds.
However, East Central’s “good hands” receiver Kaden Jones recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal the outcome.
Arkansas-Monticello kicker Charles Stinson connected on a 28-yard field goal with 9:48 left to snap a 28-28 tie and put the Boll Weevils ahead by three, setting up the exciting finish.
The Tigers answered by continuing the shootout.
Kennedy guided ECU down the field in six plays, connecting with Combs for a 41-yard gain. That big play set up a 9-yard touchdown scamper by Donovan Shannon, putting the hosts ahead for good at 35-31 with 7:35 left.
The seesaw first half ended in a 21-all deadlock.
Thompson got free down the far sideline, broke a tackle near the 20 and raced 44 yards before somersaulting into the end zone for the touchdown that tied the game with 3:22 left in the second quarter.
The Boll Weevils reached the ECU 33 and were looking for a score of their own just before halftime, but East Central linebacker Caden Pickens spoiled those plans with an interception he returned 20 yards to the 40.
However, Litrenta decided to run out the clock and settle for the halftime tie.
Each team alternated three touchdowns apiece during the first half.
The Tigers’ first two scores came on an 11-yard quarterback keeper by Kennedy and a 9-yard touchdown pass from Kennedy to Jonathan Brown.
The team statistics were every bit as close as the game. UAM made 24 first downs, rushed for 146 yards and passed for 316. The Tigers made 20 first downs, rushed for 199 yards and passed for 289.
Kennedy completed 18 of 27 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 31 yards and two more scores.
Thompson led all rushers with 116 yards on 14 carries. Donovan Shannon added 60 yards on nine carries for ECU.
Henry completed 9 of 11 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown, while starter Drew Forkner finished 18 of 23 through the air for 189 yards and two touchdowns.
Dave Alston was the Boll Weevils’ leading rusher with 117 yards on 16 carries.
Nine different players caught passes for UAM, including Lott, who led the way with 10 receptions for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Drew Dronet had five catches for 63 yards.
Pickens led the East Central defense with 13 tackles, a quarterback sack and the momentum-stealing interception. Nathaniel Rainey added four tackles and a fumble recovery.
The Tigers will look to continue their hot start Sept. 19 when they visit Southern Nazarene University in Bethany.