ATLANTA — Clark Atlanta University used a series of explosive plays to defeat rival Morehouse College 31-21 Saturday afternoon in the inaugural ATL Labor Day Classic at B.T. Harvey Stadium.
The victory marked Clark Atlanta’s third consecutive win over Morehouse and gave the Panthers their first victory of the 2026 season. Clark Atlanta improved to 1-1 overall and 1-0 in SIAC play, while Morehouse dropped to 0-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
An announced crowd of 9,736 watched the Atlanta University Center rivals add another chapter to a football rivalry that dates back more than a century.
Clark Atlanta Strikes First
Clark Atlanta wasted little time making an impact.
With 13:07 remaining in the first quarter, Trayvon Pinder broke loose for a 94-yard touchdown run on his only carry of the game. Cedric Oglesby added the extra point to give the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.
Morehouse responded with a 13-play, 63-yard drive that ended with Davis Rowe’s 29-yard field goal with 7:18 remaining.
The Maroon Tigers then took the lead less than two minutes later when Chase DeVaughn ripped off a 30-yard touchdown run. Morehouse missed the extra point but led 9-7 after one quarter.
Panthers Regain Control
Clark Atlanta regained the lead early in the second quarter.
Kelan Anderson scored on a 39-yard touchdown run with 10:39 remaining, putting the Panthers back ahead 14-9.
Joseph Wright later connected on a 23-yard field goal with 5:29 remaining in the half, extending Clark Atlanta’s advantage to 17-9 at halftime.
Morehouse was unable to score in the second quarter.
Morehouse Makes a Push
The Maroon Tigers came out of halftime determined to fight back.
Savion Red scored on a 6-yard rushing touchdown with 9:11 remaining in the third quarter, cutting Clark Atlanta’s lead to 17-15 after another unsuccessful extra-point attempt.
The Panthers answered immediately.
Quarterback Xzavier Jackson connected with Chry’shawn Sellers for a 14-yard touchdown with 4:20 left in the third quarter. Oglesby’s extra point pushed the lead back to 24-15.
DeVaughn Brings Morehouse Within Three
Morehouse opened the fourth quarter with another big play from DeVaughn.
The running back scored his second touchdown of the afternoon, this time on a 10-yard run just six seconds into the fourth quarter.
The score brought Morehouse within 24-21 and gave the Maroon Tigers an opportunity to complete the comeback. (SI)
But Clark Atlanta had the answer.
On the Panthers’ next scoring drive, Jackson found Sellers for a 51-yard touchdown reception with 11:40 remaining.
Oglesby’s extra point made it 31-21, and that proved to be the final score.
Morehouse crossed midfield on its final possession but couldn’t find the end zone. Clark Atlanta ultimately ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Individual Standouts
🐾 Clark Atlanta
Xzavier Jackson — QB
● 13-of-22 passing
● 135 yards
● 2 TD
● 0 INT
● 140.6 passer efficiency
Dae’Jeaun Dennis — RB
● 18 carries
● 104 yards
Trayvon Pinder — RB
● 1 carry
● 94 yards
● 1 TD
Kelan Anderson — RB
● 5 carries
● 49 yards
● 1 TD
Chry’shawn Sellers — WR
● 4 receptions
● 83 yards
● 2 TD
● Long: 51 yards
Amari Southall — WR
● 1 reception
● 49 yards
Canaan Johnson — WR
● 2 receptions
● 37 yards
Defensively, Dwayne Mills Jr. led Clark Atlanta with seven tackles, while Jaiden Cleveland recorded six tackles and two tackles for loss. Devin Pridgett and Zion Harris each recorded a sack, while Amir Edmond intercepted a pass.
🐯 Morehouse
Miles Scott — QB
● 16-of-35 passing
● 193 yards
● 0 TD
● 1 INT
● 86.3 passer efficiency
● 2 sacks
Chase DeVaughn — RB
● 11 carries
● 105 yards
● 2 TD
● 9.5 yards per carry
Savion Red — RB/WR
● 8 carries
● 32 rushing yards
● 1 rushing TD
● 3 receptions
● 42 receiving yards
Tony Roberson III — RB
● 7 carries
● 26 yards
Jeremiah Gibson — WR
● 4 receptions
● 85 yards
● Long: 43 yards
Noah Rhodes — WR
● 3 receptions
● 37 yards
Defensively, Sean Johnson led Morehouse with seven tackles and two tackles for loss. Dylan Robinson added six tackles, while Kai Fernandes recorded five.
By the Numbers
Clark Atlanta finished with 394 total yards on 50 plays, averaging an impressive 7.9 yards per play.
Morehouse actually ran 73 plays and finished with 340 total yards, but the Panthers’ explosiveness made the difference.
Clark Atlanta
● 394 total yards
● 259 rushing yards
● 135 passing yards
● 16 first downs
● 4-of-10 on third down
● 1 turnover forced
Morehouse
● 340 total yards
● 147 rushing yards
● 193 passing yards
● 25 first downs
● 6-of-15 on third down
● 1 turnover
Morehouse also controlled possession for 35:05, compared with 24:55 for Clark Atlanta, but the Panthers repeatedly struck for big plays.
The Difference: Explosive Plays
The Panthers’ offense produced three touchdowns of at least 39 yards:
● Trayvon Pinder — 94-yard rushing TD
● Kelan Anderson — 39-yard rushing TD
● Chry’shawn Sellers — 51-yard receiving TD
Those three plays alone accounted for 184 yards.
Clark Atlanta scored on five possessions, with scoring drives covering three, six, five, nine and six plays. (SI)
Morehouse, meanwhile, scored all three of its touchdowns on the ground.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
● 13:07 — CAU: Trayvon Pinder 94-yard rush TD — CAU 7-0
● 7:18 — Morehouse: Davis Rowe 29-yard FG — CAU 7-3
● 5:46 — Morehouse: Chase DeVaughn 30-yard rush TD — Morehouse 9-7
2nd Quarter
● 10:39 — CAU: Kelan Anderson 39-yard rush TD — CAU 14-9
● 5:29 — CAU: Joseph Wright 23-yard FG — CAU 17-9
3rd Quarter
● 9:11 — Morehouse: Savion Red 6-yard rush TD — CAU 17-15
● 4:20 — CAU: Xzavier Jackson to Chry’shawn Sellers, 14-yard TD — CAU 24-15
4th Quarter
● 14:54 — Morehouse: Chase DeVaughn 10-yard rush TD — CAU 24-21
● 11:40 — CAU: Xzavier Jackson to Chry’shawn Sellers, 51-yard TD — CAU 31-21
Final
Clark Atlanta 31, Morehouse 21
Clark Atlanta’s combination of explosive plays and efficient offense proved to be the difference, overcoming Morehouse’s advantages in total plays, first downs and time of possession.
The Panthers will host Kentucky State on Sept. 12, while Morehouse returns to B.T. Harvey Stadium to face Central State.
