From asugoldenrams.com :
CLINTON, Miss. — The Albany State University football team saw the host Mississippi College erase a 10-point halftime deficit and score the game-winning touchdown in the final minute to take the 24-17 win on Saturday night at Robinson-Hale Stadium.
With the loss the Golden Rams drop to 0-2 on the season while the Choctaws improve to 1-1.
HOW IT HAPPENED
– Albany State got off to a fast start with a 15-play, 74-yard opening drive that took over eight minutes and ended with a four-yard touchdown pass from Kelias Williams to Michael Green that put the Golden Rams ahead 7-0.
– After the teams traded punts, ASU extended the lead to 10-0 as Gabriel Ballinas nailed a 32-yard field goal in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
– MC would punt on their first three possessions, but the Golden Rams missed a pair of field goals in the final minutes of the first half to keep the lead at 10-0 through 30 minutes.
– The Choctaws got off to a quick start in the second half with a 39-yard kickoff return from senior Cole Rotenberry that set up a six-play, 58-yard touchdown drive.
– Mississippi College capped off the scoring drive with a 26-yard touchdown run after a late pitch by senior Detric Hawthorn on the option play.
– MC would score on all four drives in the second half, including a nine-play, 44-yard drive that ended with a four-yard touchdown run from Mark to give the Choctaws a 14-10 advantage, their first lead of the night.
– The Choctaw defense came up big on ASU’s next possession, stopping the Golden Rams on downs as senior Turner Rotenberry broke up a pass on 4th down at the end of the third quarter.
– Senior Drake McCarter pushed the lead out to 17-10 with 8:13 remaining in the game as he hit a 27-yard field goal, completing his pefrect night with three PAT’s and the field goal.
– The Golden Rams answered, with an eight-play, 68-yard drive that finished with a 31-yard touchdown pass on 4th-and-10 from Williams to Green.
– The Choctaws responded with a 31-yard kickoff return from Rotenberry to set up a 59-yard scoring drive for the Choctaws.
– Junior Jaylin Jones capped off the seven-play drive that gave the Choctaws the game-winning score, going in from five yards out with 27 seconds remaining.
KEY STATS
– The Golden Rams rushed for 160 yards on 37 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per carry on the night.
– The Golden Rams outgained the Choctaws, 324-227, but 11 penalties for 96 yards and two missed field goals cost ASU.
– Tracy Scott rushed for 71 yards on 16 carries, while Williams piled up 51 yards on the ground.
– Williams also threw for 164 yards and two scores, completing seven passes for 102 yards to Green.
– Quentin Frazier and Fred Walls led the Choctaws with seven tackles apiece, while Frazier added a tackle for loss.
– Coemba Jones, Terry Compton and Branderious Rawlings led the Golden Rams with six tackles each, while Tyler Scott and Stephan Pierre racked up five tackles.
– Ballinas averaged 59.3 yards per punt with a game-high with a long of 46 yards on the night.
NEXT UP
– The Golden Rams will travel for a non-conference matchup next Saturday night when they face the University of West Georgia at 7:00 p.m.
