Penalties Costly as Golden Rams Drop First SIAC Game of the Season

October 21, 2017

ATLANTA GA- Clark-Atlanta University rallied from an eight point halftime deficit to shock Albany State University 44-36 Saturday afternoon before the Panthers' Homecoming crowd.

The win snaps CAU's 15 game losing streak against ASU as their last win over the Golden Rams was a 17-14 triumph back in 2001.

The loss, a game where the Rams marked season highs in both penalties (14) and penalty yards (115), is the first conference setback for Albany State in 2017.

On Saturday the Panthers rolled up 445 yards on 79 plays and was 4-4 in red zone chances. CAU's passing game was especially efficient as quarterback Johnathon McCray threw to nine different receivers finishing with 357 yards and five touchdowns. The CAU offense converted 24 first downs, was 10-18 on third downs and was +17 minutes in time of possession (38:24-21:25).

The Panthers opened the game with an 11 play, 86 yard drive that lasted over 7 minutes and resulted in McCray's first passing score of the day. The Golden Rams responded with rushing touchdowns on three of their next five possessions; one a 7 yard score from Kelan Fraise and then two TDs (2 yards, 3 yards) from McKinley Habersham and ASU held a 22-7 lead with 1:07 left in the first half.

On the final drive of the half the Panthers assisted by two ASU penalties, drove 65 yards in 6 plays and McCray picked up his second TD of the day as the half expired.

Trailing 22-14 at the intermission, the Panthers took their first drive of the second half 71 yards on 11 plays in for another TD but failed on a 2-point conversion and the score stood at 22-20 in favor of ASU. The Golden Rams got a little breathing room on a Terrence Harris' 67 yard fumble recovery for a score but it was short lived as the Panthers' responded on their ensuing drive with McCray's fourth passing score of the day with 2:18 left in the third.

CAU then scored on their next three possessions all beginning in the fourth quarter. Carlos Saldana got the go ahead points, connecting on a 46 yard field goal at the 11:20 mark for a 30-29 CAU lead. The Panthers then scored on their next two possessions; a 2 yard rushing TD by JaJuan Lankford and a 10-yrd passing score from McCray to Jonathan Sanders with 3:09 left in the game put the score at 44-29.

On a short field, the Golden Rams went 45 yards in 2 plays and a one yard touchdown rush by Chancellor Johnson pulled ASU within eight points. After the Albany State defense held, the offense got the ball back with 1:58 left at the Rams' 25 yard line.

ASU's drive made it all the way to the Panther 7 yard line but with 11 ticks left and facing 4^th and goal, Quantavious Singletary intercepted Johnson's pass at the 2 yard line to clinch the win for CAU.

Albany State (5-3, SIAC 3-1) will return to ASU Coliseum for their final home game of the 2017 season. It will be Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day with kickoff scheduled for 2pm. Follow on Twitter @ASUGoldenRams and visit www.asugoldenrams.com for more information on Albany State Athletics.