In a thrilling comeback victory, Clark Atlanta University (CAU) shocked SWAC opponent Bethune-Cookman University (BCU) with a 55-yard game-winning field goal by Leonardo Cabrera as time expired, capping a 38-37 victory. The Wildcats (0-4) jumped out to a dominant early lead, but the Panthers (3-0-1) clawed their way back in one of the most dramatic finishes of the season. The win also puts a huge feather in the cap for the SIAC, who once again has another year with a football win versus the SWAC.
First Quarter – Bethune-Cookman Dominates Early
Bethune-Cookman opened the game in explosive fashion. Quarterback Cam Ransom connected with Courtney Reese for a 29-yard touchdown to cap off a 71-yard drive, giving BCU a 7-0 lead with 10:27 remaining in the first quarter. Just two minutes later, Ransom added to the lead with a 7-yard rushing touchdown, making it 14-0 after a short 7-yard drive set up by a CAU turnover.
The Wildcats kept rolling, as Ransom found Darnell Deas for a 70-yard touchdown pass with 4:25 left in the first quarter, pushing the score to 21-0. Clark Atlanta finally responded with a touchdown of their own when David Wright III connected with David Martin for an 11-yard score, cutting the deficit to 21-7.However, BCU wasn’t done. Ransom threw his third touchdown of the quarter, this time a 54-yard bomb to Kobe Stewart with just five seconds left in the period, extending the lead to 28-7.
Second Quarter – Clark Atlanta Begins to Fight Back
BCU added to their lead early in the second quarter with a 23-yard field goal from Cade Hechter, pushing the Wildcats’ advantage to 31-7.
Clark Atlanta responded with a sustained drive, marching 89 yards in 15 plays. Wide receiver Armone Harris threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Delancey Tolliver, narrowing the gap to 31-14 with 1:47 left in the half. But BCU quickly drove down the field, setting up another Hechter field goal, this one from 27 yards, as time expired to give the Wildcats a 34-14 lead at halftime.
Third Quarter – The Panthers Mount a Comeback
The second half saw Clark Atlanta begin their dramatic comeback. Early in the third quarter, Wright III led the Panthers on a 98-yard drive, culminating in a 28-yard touchdown pass to Harris, making the score 34-21. On their next possession, Wright III engineered another long drive, this time covering 99 yards, and connected with Harris again for a 27-yard touchdown. Suddenly, the Panthers were within six points, 34-28.
Bethune-Cookman briefly halted Clark Atlanta’s momentum with a 37-yard field goal by Hechter late in the third quarter, extending their lead to 37-28.
Fourth Quarter – Clark Atlanta Seals the Win
With just over four minutes remaining in the game, Clark Atlanta completed their comeback against their Division I opponent from the SWAC. Wright III delivered his fourth touchdown pass of the night, a 7-yard strike to Harris, capping off a 62-yard drive to pull the Panthers within two points at 37-35.
Bethune-Cookman tried to run out the clock, but CAU’s defense stepped up, forcing a punt and giving their offense one last chance with just over a minute left. Wright III led the Panthers down the field, setting up Cabrera for a 55-yard field goal attempt as time expired. Cabrera drilled the kick, delivering an improbable 38-37 victory for Clark Atlanta.
Key Players:
- David Wright III (CAU): 4 passing touchdowns, including three to Armone Harris.
- Armone Harris (CAU): 3 receiving touchdowns, crucial in the comeback effort.
- Cam Ransom (BCU): 4 total touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing).
- Leonardo Cabrera (CAU): Game-winning 55-yard field goal as time expired.
This win marks a significant moment for Clark Atlanta, showing incredible resilience to overcome a 21-point deficit and stun Bethune-Cookman in a game that will be remembered for Cabrera’s last-second heroics and extraordinary play from David Wright III. Bethune-Cookman is now 0-4 with SWAC play set to begin next week versus Alabama State.
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