The Albany State offense racked up 500 yards of total offense on their way to squaring their record at 3-3 by defeating Catawba College 35-21 at Shuford Stadium in Salisbury, North Carolina.
The Golden Rams offense came out of the gate razor sharp, scoring on their first two possessions. The first drive traveled 72 yards in a mere 6 plays and ended when Kelias Williams connected with Chris Hunt on a 17-yard touchdown pass. The PAT was not converted, leaving the score 6-0. Catawba would answer with a 10 play, 72 yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run from Kenyatta Green. The Indians would take a 7-6 on the converted extra point. Albany State only needed one play to score on their next possession when Tracy Scott took the first snap of the drive and took it 75 yards to the house (Scott would post a career best 190 yards on the ground) and with the extra point, ASU would reclaim the lead at 13-7.
Catawba would reclaim the lead, 14-13, when quarterback Ken Avent threw a 36-yard touchdown pass to Devonte Tanksley. The defense would set up the Golden Rams’ next score when Coemba Jones forced a fumble that was recovered by Martery Brown at the Indians’ 27-yard line. Just five plays later, McKinley Habersham scored from two-yards out to put Albany State up 20-14 with the successful extra point.
The Golden Rams used a defensive stop on a Catawba 4th down attempt as springboard to their next score. After taking over on downs, a Kelan Fraise 21-yard scamper put ASU on the Catawba 42 yard line. On the next play, Kelias Williams would toss his second touchdown of the day, this one to Mike Green. The extra point extended the Golden Ram lead to 27-14 with 3:20 to go in the first half.
Catawba struck back with a 4 play, 64-yard drive in a mere 90 seconds, scoring their third touchdown of the half when Avent connected with Kenyatta Green for the second time, this one from 13 yards out to make the score 27-21 heading into halftime.
The second half, offensively speaking, was a lot quieter with the Indian offense being brought to a screeching halt by the Albany State defense. The Golden Rams were not great offensively themselves,only scoring a touchdown late in the game that came after a 11 play, 63 yard drive that ended in Tracy Scott’s second touchdown of the game, this from two yards out. A successful two-point conversion brought the score to its final tally, 35-21.
For Albany State, up next is a trip to Atlanta to face the undefeated Morehouse College Maroon Tigers, whom along with Benedict and ASU, are tied for the Eastern Division conference lead at 2-0. The kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. EST. Catawba travels to Wingate, North Carolina to take on the Wingate Bulldogs. Kickoff time for that contest is also at 6:00 p.m. EST.
