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Page 6 THE PANTHER OCTOBER 4, 1979 Panther Defense Strong In Opener; Defending Champs Beat Lane 25-9 Last year it was the play of a veteran defense, game-break ing specialty teams, and the right toe of punter Charles McPherson that pulled the SIAC defending champs out of tight situations. Clark College’s homeopener against Lane College was no different. Before 2500 fans at Herndon Stadium, the Pan thers got off to an amazing start, scoring 16 points with 5:57 remaining in the first quarter, enroute to a 25-9 triumph Sept. 15. Charles McPherson, last year’s NCAA Division III lead ing punter with a 48.6 yard average, kicked off to the Dragons and on their first possession of the game fullback Melvin Norman fum bled on the 20-yard line. Defensive end Arturo Cato recovered the ball on the 17- yard line to set up a 35 yard field goal with 11:07 in the first quarter. Lane held inside the 30-yard line on their next possession of the ball punted to return specialist Gary Dukes who scampered around right By James D. Wilcox Panther Reporter end for a 70-yard touchdown, giving Clark a 10-0 lead. “The only thing on my mind is win ning and at that moment, I had to contribute my share,” Dukes said after the game. Lane plagued by fumblitis all afternoon, gave the Panthers yet another opportunity to score by fumbling the ball away and having defensive interference called on the 1- yard line. That set up a 1-yard plunge by fullback Johnny Richards, giving the Panthers a 16-0 with 5:57 remaining in the first quarter. Ijane did get a break in the game when Robert Sturdivant blocked a punt by McPherson, a rarity, deep in Clark’s territory. That set up the only Dragon touchdown of the afternoon when tailback Kenneth Powell swept around right end seven yards for the Dragon’s score, to pull Lane to within nine, giving Clark a 16- 7 halftime lead. A stingy Panther defense and numerous turnovers by both teams told the story for the most part of the second half. A veteran defensive line of Charles Cheeks, Robert Wright, Jerome White and Arturo Cato applied continual pressure on Dragon quarterback Carlton Chance, sacking him 11 times. Unable to mount a successful drive, Lane was forced to punt from their own 3-yard line, but a high sn ap from center James Howard sailed over Virgil Stephens head for a Panther safety, rallying Clark to a 18-7 lead. But to indicate just how atypical a day it was for Lane, punter Virgil Stephens hit a booming 50-yard punt only to tightrope up the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown run by Phillip Goff, breaking the game wide open and giving the Panthers a 25-9 lead. Late in the fourth quarter Lane also added two points when quarterback Kenneth Standifer was dropped for a safety by Herbert Curry, with 10:11 left in the ball game to end the scoring at 25-9. Coach Jesse McClardy was pleased with his team’s performance. “The defense was much sharper than I expected it to be,” the coach said after the game. Below: Aldo Gaither (26), defensive back, pursues Fisk quarterback (10). (Photo by Jerome Gwinn ) TEAM STATISTICS CIARK LANE 1st downs 9 1st downs 5 Rush-yds 44-175 Rush-yds 39-(-6) Pass-yds 0 Pass-yds 69 Ret.-yds 149 Ret.-yds 97 Passes 0-8-0 Passes 5-20-0 Punts 6-38-5 Punts 40.3 Fumbles Lost 4-2 Fumbles Lost 4-0 Pen ,-vds 10-96 Pen.-yds. 8-76 Walter Pollard (50) awaits patiently to resume play action for Pantbers. (Photo by Jerome Gwinn) Morehouse Names Hunt By Veverly Y. Byrd Panther Sports Editor Morehouse College named a new head football coach to succeed Michael Gray, who resigned last year to accept a position at Lakeshore High School in Atlanta. Maurice Hunt, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, was appointed by Morehouse President, Dr. Hugh Gloster to assume responsibilities for the Maroon Tiger Football Squad, who are presently 2-0, defeat ing Savannah State and Fort Valley State College. Hunt received his B.S. degree in Health and Physical Education from Kentucky State University, and received the M.S.E. degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa. Before coming to Morehouse, Hunt held positions of Head Football Coach and Assistant Profes sor in Physical Education at Central State University. He was both Head Track Coach and Wrestling Coach at Grinnell College. In 1967, Hunt was a 10th round draft choice of the Kan sas City Chiefs. While at Ken tucky State, he was captain of the football team and an All- Conference defensive back for two consecutive years. Married to the former Mary Elizabeth Sain and father of one, Hunt is a member of the American Football Coaches Association and the National Wrestling Federation As sociation. Clark 25 Lane 9 Jacksonville St. 28 Alabama A&M 21 Bethune-Cookman 28 Livingstone 14 Morris Brown 27 Tuskegee 20 Grambling St. 40 Alcorn St. 3 Games from 9-15-79