Clark Atlanta 30, Mississippi College 31
From clarkatlantasports.com:
In his first game at quarterback for Clark Atlanta University, Charles Stafford threw for 277 yards and two touchdowns and had a big pass to set up a go-ahead fourth-quarter TD, but Drake McCarter’s 18-yard field goal with 3:58 left lifted Mississippi College to a 31-30 win over CAU Thursday in Clinton, Miss.
With CAU (0-1) down 28-23 early in the fourth quarter, Stafford threw a high-arching, 45-yard dart to Drakar Jerry to the Mississippi College 1-yard line. Two plays later, Stafford lost his helmet and had to exit the game for a play. Elijah Odom replaced him and then carried the ball into the end zone, putting the Panthers up 30-28 with 10:15 left in the game.
On the next drive, Mississippi College had a 10-play, 69-yard drive that ended with McCarter’s field goal with 3:58 left. The drive was anchored by a Detric Hawthorn 15-yard completion on a third-and-10 play and a 33-yard run by Tiberias Lampkin to the CAU 9.
Stafford drove the Panthers down the field on the next drive. His 4-yard pass to Johnathan Sanders put CAU at the Choctaw 28-yard line with a fourth-and-1 situation as 49 seconds were left in the game.
CAU went for it, but Stafford threw his third interception as the Choctaws’ Elijah Rogers stepped in front of the pass at the 5-yard-line, allowing Mississippi College to salt away the win.
In a game that was close throughout, CAU out-gained Mississippi College 416 yards to 349, while the Panther defense forced two fumbles and picked off a Hawthorn pass. They only allowed 111 passing yards.
Stafford led CAU with 69 yards rushing, while Roger Thomas had 60 yards on 15 carries. Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference pre-season All-Conference pick Johnathan Sanders had a huge game as he caught 14 passes for 120 yards and a touchdown. Josh Banks also caught a TD pass from Stafford.
On defense, Amon Crumpton led CAU with seven tackles, all of them solo, a sack and one tackle for loss. Ezekiel Edmonds had six solo tackles and a pass break-up, while Justin Wade, Kameron Rogers, and Kenneth Morgan each had five tackles. Morgan had the Panthers interception.
While Hawthorn only had 111 yards passing for Mississippi College, he had a big day on the ground, rushing for 141 yards and three touchdowns. Lampkin finished with 89 yards rushing. Jaylan Hassell had a game-high nine tackles, seven solo, for the Choctaws.
The Panthers are back on the road next week when they visit SIAC foe Central State on Saturday, Sept. 8
Alabama A&M 37, Miles College 0
The offseason hiring of head Connell Maynor generated a bit of buzz not only in Huntsville but throughout HBCU football. Would be able to re-create some of the success he enjoyed during his time at Winston Salem State or would it be the barely above .500, middle of the pack teams he lead during his time at Hampton?
The Maynor administration got off on the right foot, blanking the Miles College Golden Bears 37-0 in the Lewis Crews Classic.
The Golden Bears offense was never able to get on track in the game, with starter Daniel Smith completing only three of his eleven pass attempts for a mere 21 yards. His replacements, Li’Jon Cordier, Malik Campbell, and Joseph Cambridge completed 2 passes combined (and both of those were from Cordier) and accounted for just 14 yards. As an offensive unit, Miles could only muster 115 yards of offense.
Though they Bulldogs scored an early field goal on a 28-yard Spencer Corey field goal,the Alabama A&M offense started to find its way after a slow start, finally reaching the end zone with Jordan Bentley’s 4-yard touchdown run; the Corey extra point would make the score 10-0. The Bulldogs would find the end zone again early in the third quarter on Aqeel Glass’s 18-yard touchdown pass to Isaiah Bailey to give the Bulldogs a 17-0 lead. Gary Quarles’ touchdown run from 1-yard out would give Alabama A&M a 24-0, a lead they would carry into halftime.
A&M would get back to the scoring in the second half,only needing two plays to go 64 yards, a drive capped off by a 44-yard touchdown pass from Glass to Marceles Clash. Corey missed the PAT, leaving the score at 30-0. The scoring would, for Miles mercifully, end when A&M backup quarterback Dylan Smith threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Octayvious Miles. Corey connected on this extra point to give the Bulldogs a 37-0 lead.
Miles returns to action Thursday September 6 to take on the University of West Alabama. Kickoff time is 6 p.m. CST. For Alabama A&M, they will host North Alabama September 8; the kickoff time is 6:00 p.m. CST.
Central State 10, Elizabeth City State University 19
From maraudersports.com
ELIZABETH CITY, North Carolina – The Central State Marauders showed resiliency after falling behind by an early touchdown, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Elizabeth City State’s big-plays in the running game and the lightning in the area, as the Vikings came away with a 19-10 weather-shortened victory in the opening game of the college football season.
ECSU managed to score on the opening kickoff on a wild sequence of events. CSU’s Brandon Stevenson juked oncoming tacklers and returned the ball down to the Viking’s 35-yard line before having the ball stripped. Taeyon Reynolds came up with the recovery and ran it back 65 yards to give ECSU the early 7-0 lead.
On the first possession of the second quarter, CSU manufactured an 11 play, 69-yard drive resulting in a 28-yard field goal by Trevor Teel to cut the deficit down to 7-3. Shutting out the opponent’s offense in the first 30 minutes of play, CSU defensive end Shemar Moss closed the first half of football by sacking ECSU quarterback Kedri Patterson for a 13-yard loss.
ECSU increased the lead to 10 thanks to a 9 play, 70-yard drive. ECSU successfully ran the ball five straight times to generate momentum. Patterson capped the drive off through the air with a 20-yard pass to Jaquari Bellamy. After a failed extra point attempt, CSU trailed 13-3 with 2:47 to go in the third quarter.
The Marauders responded on their next possession. Quarterback Trent Mays connected with tight end Robert Corbin, Jr. for an 11-yard gain to start the drive. CSU then went to its running game as Terraris Saffold and Jerry Lanier combined for 33 yards on the ground to drive the ball down to the ECSU 32-yard line. Mays connected with Saffold for an eight yard gain out of the backfield and then threw a 21-yard strike to Darius Ford for the score to make it a three-point game at the 14:24 mark of the fourth quarter.
With inclement weather loaming in the area, ECSU quickly struck on its next possession thanks to a 71-yard touchdown run by Gregory Bryan. After another missed extra point, the Vikings led 19-10 with 13:21 on the clock.
On the ensuing kickoff, Saffold returned the ball 22-yards to give CSU good field position at their own 40-yard line, Mays completed a pass to Bobby Gist for a gain of eight yards just before lightning struck. Both teams and fans immediately headed for shelter. After multiple weather delays and issues with stadium lighting, it was decided by the officials, coaches and athletic directors record the game as final with 12:29 left in regulation resulting in a win for Elizabeth City State.
In a shortened game, Mays completed 12 of 18 pass attempts for 118 yards and one score. Saffold recorded 49 rushing yards and another 42 yards on kick returns. Kailen Abrams led the CSU defensive efforts with 7 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Bryan led the Vikings with 115 rushing yards. Reynolds led the way for the Vikings defensively with 5 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, a forced fumble and 65-yard fumble recovery return for the opening score.
The Marauders will host Clark Atlanta (0-1) at home next Saturday at 1 pm. For game details, tickets and coverage, visit – https://maraudersports.com/news/2018/9/1/football–clark-atlanta-on-saturday.aspx
Lincoln University of Missouri 10, Lane 7
From lubluetigers.com
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The defense tallied three sacks, made a pair of interceptions and pitched a shutout in the second half as the Lincoln football team earned a 10-7 win over Lane in the season opener for both programs on Saturday (Sept. 1).
The Blue Tigers had five tackles for loss and broke up three passes as Lincoln limited Lane to just 123 yards of total offense and nine first downs. Edwin Durassaint had an interception for Lincoln in the third quarter while Joseph Madrigal made the Blue Tigers’ second pick late in the fourth, all but sealing the win with an interception on the Lincoln one-yard line.
Lincoln scored on its first drive of the season, as Fernando Ramirez booted a 44-yard field goal after the Blue Tiger defense helped set the offense up in tremendous starting field position with a sack by Steve Henderson. Hosea Franklin had a 13-yard run to start the drive, then later scored early in the second quarter on the Blue Tigers’ second drive on a six-yard reception.
Lane hit a quick 74-yard touchdown pass on its ensuing possession, but the defenses took over from there. Lincoln was led by Amani Nelson with nine tackles, including one for a loss. Durassaint, Victor Williams, Chavon Gross, Isaiah Gray and JaJuan Chambers each made three tackles, with Gray also posting a sack and a fumble recovery.
Quan Mason also had a sack while Gross added a tackle for loss, and both players matched Will Sewell and Austin Harris with two tackles apiece. Thomas Burton broke up two passes, and Mason had a quarterback hurry.
Offensively, Henry Ogala completed 12 passes for 142 yards and the score, while Blake Tibbs led the receiving corps with six grabs for 86 yards. Terry Hunter led the rushing attack with 41 yards, including a big 16-yard gain late in the fourth quarter to help the Blue Tigers run down the clock. Ramirez, meanwhile, averaged 60 yards on three kickoffs.
Lane returns to actions next week when they host the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers. Kickoff time is 2 p.m. CST.
The Blue Tigers will be back in action in less than a week, as Lincoln travels to Springfield, Mo. on Thursday (Sept. 6) to play Missouri State in a 6:00 p.m. CDT contest.
*image courtesy of Tallahassee Democrat
Fort Valley State 7, Florida A&M University 41
From fvsuports.com
TALLAHASSE, Fla. – After the second-quarter lightning delay, all-purpose back Lorenzo Smothers and the Wildcats struck pay dirt. Florida A&M rebounded right away and produced a strong second half on its way to a 41-7 win over Fort Valley State in the 2018 Jake Gaither Classic football game Saturday evening.
With early game Wildcats (0-1) mistakes, the Football Championship Series Rattlers (1-0) took advantage to a tune of a 13-0 lead with 5:05 showing in the second quarter. Following close to a 40-minute lightning strike delay, Fort Valley State wasted no time in getting the ball to Smothers, who took a short pass in the left flat from Slade Jarman and scampered 92 yards down the left sideline and then up the middle of the field for the touchdown to make it a 13-7 score with 4:40 remaining in the opening half.
Florida A&M answered with a 70-yard scoring drive on five plays to regain the game’s momentum it would not lose again.
“Our kids played hard. When you play up a level, you can’t afford to make the mistakes we made tonight. We will get a lot of good film from this game and see how we can be better (for next week),” said FVSU head coach Kevin Porter.
Smothers was arguably the best player on the field for the better part of the opening three quarters. The sophomore slot back and kick returner totaled 306 all-purpose yards on only 15 touches of the football. He pulled in 207 yards on six receptions and covered 102 more yards on six kick returns as part of his final line. Smothers had an early first-quarter grab where he outran the coverage for 68 yards, before his 92-yard scoring reception after the second-quarter lightning delay.
“Lorenzo Smothers, obviously, is a very talented player and a key to our offense, who we try to create opportunities to get him as many touches as we can between running, receiving and returns,” noted Porter.
Quarterback Slade Jarman had a solid opening senior year outing by completing 17 of 27 passes for 303 yards and the one touchdown.
Jamari Clark and the Wildcat running game found it to be tough sledding as he rushed for 35 yards and pulled in five passes out of the backfield for 49 yards.
Despite giving up 407 yards of total offense, the FVSU defense played tough. The Wildcat defenders allowed 182 yards in the first half on 30 plays and 268 yards on 50 snaps through three frames before the Rattlers controlled the final quarter.
Safety Camron Young paced the visitors’ stoppers with seven tackles and a pass breakup. Defensive lineman Juwan Gardner stopped five runners and sacked the Rattlers quarterback one time. Jahseari Patterson posted the other FVSU sack, while Zach Anderson chipped in five tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
“In the redzone, we forced them to kick six times, but we have things to clean up,” added the FVSU head coach. “I am happy with the effort and will come back strong next week.”
After the game’s opening possession stalled, the Wildcats put their backs against the wall early when the punt snap was muffed and the Rattlers recovered deep in FVSU territory. Florida A&M converted the opportunity for the game’s first points with a touchdown four plays later to make it 7-0 only 4:10 in the contest.
Fort Valley State committed a second muffed punt snap later in the game, saw a field goal attempt blocked to open the second quarter, and suffered with a final 22.7-yard per punt average in three punts.
“We made some kicking game mistakes and we need to correct them immediately. You can’t make those types of mistakes against a team like Florida A&M,” Porter said.
For the home team, Bishop Bonnett accounted for 79 yards on eight carries as the top FAMU back. Quarterback Ryan Stanley competed 11 of his 20 passes for 115 yards, including a pair of scores.
Rattlers kicker Yahia Aly booted a school-record six field goals with a long of 43 yards.
Fort Valley State continues its four-game opening road swing in the Okefenokee Classic against Valdosta State in Waycross, Ga., next Saturday night (Sept. 8). Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Tuskegee 20, Alabama State University 26
The Alabama State Hornets had not defeated in-state Tuskegee in six years and as they trailed for most of the game, it appeared that the streak was headed to a seventh year.
However when the Hornets’ quarterback Darryl Pearson, Jr. scored to tie the contest at 20 apiece with 5:09 remaining in the game. Tuskegee was unable to make anything happen on their subsequent drive and Alabama State got the ball back and ran out the clock to take the game into overtime.
In the extra time, Tuskegee picked up a first down on its first play but then submarined their drive, pushing the Tigers back to the Alabama State 43 yard line. A 17-yard run by Tuskegee quarterback Jamarcus Ezell put the tigers in a position for a 43-yard field goal attempt.
The kick was blocked by Christian Clark and Alabama State would end up taking over in Tuskegee territory. On their very first play, Ezra Gray took a handoff and streaked 25-yards down the left sideline for a touchdown, winning the game 26-20 and ending the streak for Alabama State.
Alabama State has its work cut out for them in their next game when they head to Auburn Alabama to face the no.9 ranked Auburn Tigers. Kickoff time for the game is 6:30 P.M. CST. Tuskegee takes on Albany State next week in the Whitewater Classic in Phenix City, Alabama. Kickoff time is 4 p.m. EST.
Morehouse 34, Arkansas-Pine Bluff 30
After spending the entire game trailing and battling to get back in it, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff offense found itself, a mere four points down at on Morehouse’s three yard line in position for the go-ahead touchdown after a six play, forty-one yard drive. Then UAPB quarterback Shannon Patrick was sacked by Morehouse’s William Callaway; Shannon fumbled and ball recovered by Morehouse’s Ben Goins, effectively ending the game.
The fumble and turnover dampened what was a monster day for the Golden Lions QB; Patrick completed 17 of 25 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns. However he was not the only Golden Lion to have a big offensive performance; wide receiver Josh Wilkes hauled in seven passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
Despite giving up 579 yards on offense, the Maroon Tigers managed to hang on to win the ball game.
Morehouse struck first in game,scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run form Ronald Bradley that was set up by a 52-yard run from Frank Bailey, Jr and a 29-yard completion by Tremell Gooden.
Morehouse added to their lead in the early part of the second quarter, scoring on a 63-yard wide receiver pass from Tremell Gooden to Tamarick Vanover, Jr.; the PAT made the score 14-0 in favor of the Maroon Tigers.
UAPB would get on the board when Shannon Patrick connected with Josh Wilkes for a 38-yard touchdown pass; the extra point cut the lead 14-7. With a little more than two minutes to go in the half, Morehouse QB Michael Sims found tight end Ryan Edwards on a short pass that Edwards was able to turn into a 57-yard touchdown, with the PAT gave the Martin Tigers a 21-7 lead. In less than 90 seconds, one minute, 27 seconds to be exact, the Golden Lions responded when running back Taeylor Porter took it down the sideline 29 yards to the house to cut the Morehouse lead to 21-14.
Morehouse’s Santo Dunn would keep the offensive back-and-forth going when he broke a 77-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-14 after the extra point.
Thirty seconds later UAPB would respond in the form of a 12-yard touchdown pass from Shannon Patrick to Tyrin Ralph, but the extra point was missed, which proved to be costly, leaving the score at 28-20 heading into halftime.
Offensively speaking, things were quiet in the third quarter, the only scoring was a 31-yard field goal by UAPB’s Jamie Gillian which cut the lead to 28-23.
With 11:28 to go in the game, Morehouse’s Dunn found paydirt once again, this time from 31-yards out. Fernando Sdelam missed the PAT, leaving the score at 34-23.
Patrick and the UAPB offense would continue to fight back, as he found Wilkes again, this time a 77-yard touchdown pass to draw the Golden Lions to within 4 at 34-30. The Maroon Tigers made the biggest play of the game, forcing the aforementioned Patrick fumble to seal the game
Florida Tech 33, Benedict 14
From Benedict Athletics:
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Benedict College Tigers turned the ball over four times and Florida Tech went on to take a 33-14 victory on Saturday in the Tigers’ season-opening football game on Saturday in Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.
Less than a minute and a half into the game, and Benedict’s first offensive play of the contest, quarterback Dominique Harris threw a deep ball that was intercepted by John McClure and returned 48 yards for a touchdown. Benedict’s third offensive series resulted in a high snap over punter Mario Trejo’s head and into the end zone. Trejo was able to jump on the ball for a safety for Florida Tech and the Tigers were down 9-0 less than halfway through the first quarter.
“It’s kind of hard to put in words because we really didn’t play well defensively nor offensively,” said Benedict head coach Mike White. “I thought we would show up a lot better than we did. We had too many turnovers, too many penalties and too many just blown assignments. That means we’ve got to do a better job coaching these guys and get ready for next week.”
Benedict won many of the statistical categories in the final stats, most notably 20 first downs to Florida Tech’s 10; 348 yards of total offense compared to 277 for the Panthers, and actually had half the number of penalties as Florida Tech (seven penalties for 69 yards vs. 13 penalties for 142 yards for Florida Tech).
But the Panthers only had two turnovers – an interception and one fumble – and took a 16-0 lead that the Tigers were never able to come back from.
After the safety, the Panthers drove 64 yards on seven plays, getting nearly all of that on one play – a 49-yard pass. David Bryant capped off the drive with a 1-yard run for a 16-0 lead with 5:46 left to play in the first quarter.
Benedict had their best offensive drive of the night on the following possession, moving 75 yards on eight plays. Harris completed passes of 20, 7, 16 and finally hit Drelon Freeman for a 29-yard touchdown.
Florida Tech added a 24-yard field goal in the second quarter to take a 19-7 lead at the half, getting the ball in good field position after another bad snap on the punt attempt.
In the third quarter, a 46-yard punt return put the Panthers in good field position and they only needed six plays to move 31 yards for another score, a 1-yard run by Daniel Richardson for a 26-7 lead with 10:17 left in the quarter.
The Tigers were making a drive to get back in the game later in the third quarter, but fumbled at the Florida Tech 5-yard line.
Another Benedict fumble in the fourth quarter gave the Panthers the ball at the Benedict 42-yard line. On the next play, Antwuan Haynes busted through for a 42-yard touchdown run and a 33-7 lead for the Panthers.
The Tigers got a spark late in the game when Phillip Brown connected with Drelon Freeman on an 80-yard pass and catch for the final 33-14 score.
“It was a tough night. We just have to go back and get ready for next week,” White said. “We’ve got to be able to take care of the football and overall play better football. I thought we gave up too many big plays, too many penalties and too many turnovers.”
The Tigers travel to Charlotte, N.C., to take on the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls next week. Kickoff is 6 p.m.
Albany State 14, Valdosta State University 45
From asugoldenrams.com :
VALDOSTA-The Valdosta State University Blazers opened the season with a 45-14 triumph over Albany State University Saturday night at Bazemore-Hyder Stadium.
The Golden Rams offense was out of sync most of the night but finally got on the board with two scores in the fourth quarter.
With 13:17 left in the game, Kelias Williams hooked up with Mike Green for a 67 yard touchdown to give the Rams their first score of the evening. Greenville, SC native Tracy Scott, who happens to wear number 32, gave ASU another touchdown when he scampered to the end zone from 32 yards out at the 3:58 mark.
Unfortunately for the Golden Rams, due to VSU’s early scoring onslaught the Blazers were firmly in control from the game’s opening drive.
Valdosta used a balanced attack to total 438 yards of offense on 58 plays from scrimmage. Jamar Thompkins led the VSU ground game with 7 carries for 128 yards and a rushing touchdown. Through the air the Blazers’ Rogan Wells connected with nine different receivers, finishing the night with 176 yards on 13-20 passing and three touchdowns.
On the game’s opening drive, Wells called his own number from three yards out to cap an 8-play, 65 yard drive for a 7-0 lead. VSU added another score at the 4:25 mark of the first quarter, this time a 7 yard passing TD from Wells to Brain Saunds.
On the opposite side of the field Golden Rams’ sputtered in the first half as they were held to just 44 total yards of total offense over the first 30 minutes. Valdosta State held a commanding 28-0 lead at the intermission.
The Blazers added two more scores in the third quarter; a 39 yard field goal from Andrew Gray and as the third quarter expired, Saunds hauled in his second touchdown of the day to extend the VSU lead to 38-0.
Green had an impressive fourth quarter for the Golden Rams, catching five passes including the 67 yard score to finish with 114 yards on the night.
Albany State will return to action next Saturday at the 5th Annual White Water Classic in Phenix City, Alabama where they will square off against Tuskegee University. Kickoff time is 5:00 p.m. EST.
Slippery Rock 38, Kentucky State 31
from ksuthorobreds.com:
SLIPPERY ROCK, PA – The starting backfield of junior running back Brett Sylve and sophomore quarterback Jules St. Ge combined for 272 yards on the ground, but the Kentucky State Thorobreds ran out of gas in falling to Slippery Rock Saturday, 38-31, in non-conference action.
“It was a hot day, we don’t have a lot of bodies, and we just wore down,” said Kentucky State head coach John L. Smith. “It’s called depth. We got through the game with five offensive linemen. I am proud the guys, especially with the travel. We traveled with the right frame of mind. We were focused and intense.
“But you have to also give (Slippery Rock) credit. They are a good football team.”
In an offensively explosive game, 10 of the 11 scoring drives lasted under 3:33 minutes. The lone exception was a 13-play, 67-yard KYSU drive that was culminated with a 20-yard field goal that pulled the Thorobreds to within 35-31 in the fourth quarter.
Three plays into the contest, Sylve (Hammond, LA) opened the scoring with a 75-yard scamper. An interception by sophomore Zuriel Rudolph (Birmingham, AL) set-up another KYSU score, this one a five-yard run by St. Ge (Lakeland, FL).
Slippery Rock halved its deficit with a 57-yard pass, but another scoring drive – capped by St. Ge pushed the KYSU lead back to 14. The Rock was threatening for another score, but senior Matthew Bizimana (Louisville, KY) forced a fumble at the goal line and it was recovered by junior David Daniels (Louisville, KY).
Sylve tallied his second score of the game with a one-yard plunge to give Kentucky State a 21-point lead with 4:41 remaining in the half.
A late second quarter score by Slippery Rock seemingly pushed the momentum to the hosts, and it showed as The Rock tacked on three more touchdowns to take their first lead of the game, 35-28, with 1:19 remaining in the third quarter.
The home team had an opportunity to take the lead earlier in the quarter, but Daniels forced, recovered and returned a fumble 80 yards to put KYSU in the red zone. It was the second goal line fumble for The Rock. The drive ended with a missed field goal.
Kentucky State drove down to within the Rock seven yardline again and had six attempts to score the equalizing touchdown midway through the fourth quarter. However, KYSU had to settle for the aforementioned 20-yard field goal.
St. Ge was 10-of-12 passing with 118 yards and one interception to go along with his 126 yards on 11 rushing attempts. He added two rushing touchdowns. His 10 completions went to five different receivers with junior Jordan Level (Detroit, MI) and junior Malik Saunders (Louisville, KY) hauling in three receptions apiece. Level finished with a team-high 45 receiving yards, and Saunders added 41 yards.
Sylve toted the rock 20 times for a team-high 146 yards with two touchdowns.
Junior Myrthel Stewart (Glenwood, IL) led the Thorobreds defensively with eight tackles, while sophomore Antwoine Lloyd (Indianapolis, IN) and Rudolph had seven tackles each.
Kentucky State (0-1) makes its home debut 4 p.m. Saturday, hosting McKendree at Alumni Stadium. The Bearcats opened their season with a 34-28 victory over Northern Michigan.
