Box Score Sept. 19, 2009
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DURHAM, N.C. - Morehead State University rookie kicker Rainer Duzan booted a 45-yard field goal on the final play of double overtime to defeat North Carolina Central University 13-10 at O'Kelly-Riddick Stadium in Durham, N.C. on Saturday.
Duzan missed a 38-yard field goal attempt on the first possession of the first overtime session.
On NCCU's first overtime possession, MSU sacked sophomore quarterback Michael Johnson for a 7-yard loss, followed by two incomplete passes. NCCU freshman kicker Frankie Cardelle, who sent the contest into overtime with a 38-yard field goal at 4:10 of the fourth quarter, came up short on the potential game-winner from 49 yards away.
On the second play of the second overtime, Johnson's pass was deflected and intercepted by senior linebacker Wes McDermott, providing the visiting Eagles a chance to win the game.
The NCCU defense pushed MSU back four yards in three plays, but Duzan silenced the crowd of 7,917 with his game-winning heroics.
NCCU (0-3) amassed a season-high 328 total yards (100 rush, 228 pass), compared to 265 yards of total offense (144 rush, 121 pass) by MSU. However, untimely penalties and missed opportunities doomed the host Eagles. A first-quarter holding penalty negated a long touchdown run by NCCU junior Tim Shankle, and the Eagles came up empty in both of their trips into the red zone.
"We left a lot of opportunities out on that field today," said NCCU head coach Mose Rison. "We did not have a good week of practice and we came out flat. We were able to battle back and tie the game, but it just was not enough against a very good Morehead State football team."
Johnson finished the contest with 228 yards of 20-of-41 passing with an interception and a 23-yard, game-tying touchdown connection with former high school teammate Geovonie Irvine in the third quarter (1:06). Irvine caught seven balls for 101 yards and a score to lead NCCU. Shankle contributed 83 ground yards on 18 carries.
The NCCU defense was sparked by junior lineman Teryl White with 11 tackles, including 3.0 hits behind the line of scrimmage with 1.5 sacks. Linebacker Roger Stewart added nine stops, including 2.5 hits for a loss with 1.5 sacks in the loss.
Morehead State (2-1) was led by junior quarterback Evan Sawyer, who threw for 121 yards and a touchdown on 11-of-25 passing with two interceptions. His scoring strike was to Ronnie McDermott (1st, 11:22), but Sawyer's favorite target was running back Jerrod Pendleton with three catches for 41 yards.
The MSU defense was topped by defensive back Henry Hudson with nine tackles.
NCCU will be the road team in Durham next week for a historic first-ever football meeting with Duke University in the "Bull City Gridiron Classic" at Wallace Wade Stadium.
