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Sports Page 7 Clark Atlanta University Panther October 19, 1990 ■ Tigers Beat Panthers, 61-22 By ANTHONY GEORGE III Staff Writer Clark Atlanta University first-year head coach Willie Hunter knew there were some questions about the Panthers defensive secondary coming into the homecoming game against Tuskegee. He just didn’t think that they would be answered so forcefully as Panthers lost to Tuskegee 61-22. “We knew we would have problems stopping Tuskegee’s offense, because of their experience,” Hunter said. “We just thought that we could establish an effective running plan mixed with a little play action pass, so our offense could keep theirs off of the field.” After making several big defensive plays in a 27-21 victory over Fort Valley State the previous week, the Panthers defense allowed 649 yards of total offense, with 425 yards coming in the first half. An estimated crowd of 14,750 watched asTuskegee led early and scored often. The Tigers scored touchdowns on their first four possessions and- led 27-0 in the second quarter. Down 40-6 at the half. Hunter decided to keep the original game and said "he told the Panthers that they were still in the game and to play with pride. “1 told the team during halftime that this was there homecoming game, and that they must have pride because many people came to watch them play,” Hunter said. “1 told the team to play harder and we just decided to stay with the original game plan.” The Panthers then took the opening possession of the second half and drove 64 yards | for a touchdown. The key play of the drive was quarterback Marlow Roberson’s 2-yard touchdown run on fourth down. With the crowd starting to get back into the game, the Panthers then stopped the Tuskegee offense on three downs, forcing a punting situation. But the Tigers faked the punt and scored on a 56-yard touchdown pass. “That was the biggest play of the game,” Hunter said. “After halftime we got the faos and ourselves fired up. We had scored on the opening drive and had stopped them “That play killed us because it took away our momentum. That play took us completely^ out of our game plan. I’m not saying we would have won the game if that play would not have happened, but we were going to make one helluva run at them to make the game interesting.” According to offensive tackle Tim Crowder, Tuskegee won the game in first half. “We didn’t play well until the second half,” Crowder said. “1 really don’t think that Tuskegee was that good. If we would have played the first half like we did the second, we would have won. CAU senior quarterback Marlow Roberson completed 12 of 22 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown. Fullback Leo Barr rushed for 90 yards on 14 carries. Hunter said the bottom line in the game was the Panthers’ failure to execute. “We just didn’t play well,” Hunter said. “We didn’t make the necessary adjustments on offense and defense. Tuskegee just exploited our young secondary.” AIR FORCE ROTC MAY BE IN YOUR FUTURE EVEN IF IT’S NOTON YOUR CAMPUS. There are some colleges and universities where Air Force ROTC is not offered... Which doesn’t mean it’s not available. Call or visit the Air Force ROTC detach ment listed and ask about the “crosstown” pro gram. All the benefits could still be yours: eligibility for two- through four-year scholarship programs ... the lead ership development opportunities ... the officer’s com mission when you graduate ... and more. Call CAPT CHERYL GREER 894-7379 Leadership Excellence Starts Here “The Big Play” op os op oe os ot Punt Returner (Figure 3) Punter (Figure Undefended Receiver (Figure 1) , 40 50 40 30 20 10 illustration by dwan pete By scoring a touchdown on the initial drive in the second half, the Panthers narrowed the Tuskegee lead to 40-14. The defense then stopped the Tigers on three plays forcing their first punt of the game. With the momentum starting to switch to the Panthers, the Tuskegee punter (figure 2) threw a pass to an undefended wide receiver (figure 1), who ran down to the 17-yard line and faked out CA U punt returner Millard Hamilton (figure 3) to score a 56-yard touchdown, making the score 47-14. REPORT CARD RUSHING OFFENSE: The Panthers continued to run the ball out of their wishbone offense, despite trailing 40-7 at the half. Even though fullbacks Charles Evans and Leo Barr were able to run for substantial yardage, the big gains were expected with the Tuskegee playing pass defense. 0:0 PASSING OFFENSE: Quarterback Marlow Roberson, when not on his back, showed exceptional skills and courage, passing for one touchdown and running for another. But early in the game when Tuskegee set the tone and the Panthers desperately needed a score, Roberson failed to ignite the offense. 9 1 RUSHING DEFENSE: The Panthers were completely oversized and overpowered by the Tuskegee offensive line. The Tiger running backs rushed for 293 yards. 5 1 PASSING DEFENSE: The Panthers’young and inexperienced secondary gave up 356 yards. OVERALL: First-year head coach Willie Hunter had an idea of the possible homecoming outcome, when he said in the Oct. 4 issue of The Panther. “I wouldn’t have chosen Tuskegee.” Coming off of an emotional 27-21 victory over Fort Valley State, Hunter wanted the Panthers to continue their emotional high and hide their inexperienced secondary. But facing one of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s most potent passing offenses, the Panthers got burned. — Compiled by Anthony George III & Pierce W. Huff I •:**