 "Photo: N/A")
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The Wolves faced off against Lambuth University in the historic grand opening of the new University Stadium and despite a last-minute miracle to tie it up in the 4th quarter, could not get the win, falling to Lambuth 27-20.
“I’m really proud of our guys, with their effort, with their fight and determination to try to come back and get the win for the home crowd,” said Wolves Head Coach Daryl Dickey. “We’ve looked to this day for a long time, and they so wanted to please the home crowd, and they’re disappointed and I’m disappointed for them.”
The Wolves declined to receive the opening kick, and Lambuth scored early within less than two minutes off a 48 yard pass to take the game to 7-0.
The Wolves responded with an 18 yard kickoff return, and then pushed in with a handoff to Yusuf Holloway for another 18 yards. Despite a face-masking call and a strong effort by the Wolves, they were forced to punt.
The Wolves defense gave up 68 yards on the next drive but averted disaster, holding Lambuth’s aggressive defense back to force a field goal that took it to 10-0 with 5:35 left in the first quarter.
A thrilling 30-yard kick return by Simeon Morgan opened up things for a massive Kyle Padgett pass received by Malcolm Johnson for 47 yards. Padgett followed it up for 17 to get the touchdown, but the PAT was blocked, leaving things at 10-6 in favor of Lambuth.
Lambuth’s offense could not take the drive in, finding itself unable to blast through the strong Wolves defense which held them back at the Wolves’ 33 yard line to force a field goal attempt which was no good at the end of the quarter, leaving it 10-6 for the Wolves to start off the 2nd quarter.
An unfortunate interception early in the Wolves drive allowed Lambuth to get a second shot at scoring, but the Wolves defense again proved itself a tough line to face, forcing another field goal attempt which went true to bring the game to 13-6 with 9:46 left on the clock.
Once more, the Wolves delivered on the kickoff return, with the Wolves taking it for 32 yards, but despite strong effort by Padgett, they were forced to punt.
Hoping to open up the game from a single-touchdown situation, Lambuth drove hard, but the aggressive Wolves defense continued to harry them, pushing back with a long sack from which the Lambuth offense recovered only due to a penalty call. Lambuth took the opportunity and managed to get the touchdown and drove their lead to 20-6.
The next Wolves drive was ended swiftly, forcing a punt. Lambuth’s offense could not handle the hungry Wolves defense, which forced a Lambuth fumble which was taken to the end zone, but the touchdown was reversed by penalty. The Wolves retained control of the ball and took it on down for the field goal to close the half at 20-9.
A light mist began falling on Ra-Lin field as the 2nd half began, opening with the Wolves returning the kickoff. The Wolves drove almost to the 50-yard line, but the Lambuth defense held up against the pack’s push and forced a very good punt from Adi Brkic that forced Lambuth to start from their 3 yard line.
This allowed the Wolves defense to go into lockdown on the Lambuth offense, forcing a punt of their own, allowing the Wolves to start just short of the 50-yard line. The Wolves kept on rolling down the field, moving the chains like clockwork to give Brkic a shot at a field goal, but it didn’t quite make it to hold the score at 20-9 with 6:50 left in the 3rd quarter.
Travis Payton managed to strip Lambuth of the ball to end a steady drive, but Simeon Morgan suffered an injury during the play and was taken away by Ambulance. The Wolves could not capitalize on the turnover and were forced to punt.
Lambuth’s offense found it difficult to take advantage of the situation, and once again had to punt it away to the Wolves. The Wolves set up to go for 1st down on 4th, but a penalty call took away the opportunity, forcing a punt with only seconds on the clock in the 3rd quarter; a single run play by Lambuth closed the quarter with no movement on the board, leaving it 20-9.
Lambuth was forced to punt it once more, the Wolves defense keeping them from moving very much. The Wolves again got in the habit of moving the chains, rolling steadily from one side of the field to the other, ending their drive with a field goal that brought it within 8 points with just less than 8 minutes left in the game.
Wolves defense just kept on rolling again, forcing a Lambuth punt which had dual penalties which offset, forcing a re-punt which the Wolves took for a huge 86-yard return that was taken in for a touchdown. The Wolves went for two points and got it, to tie the game at 20-20 with five minutes left.
Lambuth found a second wind and responded with a strong drive, making it just short of the goal line before just barely getting the touchdown with a rushing dive on the third down to get it to 27-20 with exactly 1 minute left in play.
The Wolves started the last minute of play on the thirty yard line after the kick, but despite giving a hard effort, they could not close the deal and the game ended with a loss for the Wolves 27-20.
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