Hernando Reporter

Edward Waters College Athletics issued the following announcement on Sept. 25.

Despite their highest point output and their best offensive output in terms of total yards, a couple of key special teams plays that went against them ultimately proved to be the difference as Edward Waters fell 45-35 to Lane College in an SIAC matchup Saturday night at the Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium.

The Edward Waters (1-3) special teams unit got things started early in the first quarter as after a Lane (3-1) three & out, the Dragons were forced to punt. Senior defensive back Anthony McBride came around left defensive end and got a clean block on the punt which then rolled out of the back of the end zone, giving the Tigers an early 2-0 lead.

On their first offensive possession, EWU drove the ball down and scored a touchdown, but it was nullified as a result of a holding penalty and the Tigers had to settle for an Angel Sevier 34-yard field goal to extend the lead to 5-0.

On the ensuing possession, the Lane offense heated up, going on a seven play, 79-yard drive resulting in a touchdown to take their first lead of the contest at 7-5 with 7:56 remaining in the first quarter. 

After an EWU three & out, Lane added to their advantage, going on another long drive, going on a 13 play, 66 yard drove and scoring another touchdown to add to their lead at 13-5 with 13:33 remaining in the second quarter.

Edward Waters responded on their next offensive opportunity when junior Ferante Cowart capped off a quick two play, 65 yard drive by taking a screen pass 61 yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good and Edward Waters got to within three of the lead at 13-11 with 12:48 remaining until halfitme.

The Dragons came right back on their next drive adding a 22-yard field goal to their advantage, extending their lead to 16-11.

The pendulum swung back to Edward Waters when their eight play, 53-yard drive was capped by a touchdown pass to junior wideout Tyberious Horne.The Extra point was missed, but the Tigers regained the lead at 17-16 with 7:41 remaining.

Things looked good for Edward Waters to take a lead at halftime for the first time this season, but things took a dramatic turn just before the break. An Angel Sevier field goal attempt was blocked and Lane was able to scoop and score a touchdown and add a two-point conversion to retake the lead at 24-17 which is where things stood at halftime.

The second half scoring started with 5:23 remaining in the third, when Sevier connected on a 28-yard field to bring EWU within four of the lead at 24-20.

Lane was able to extend their lead just before the end of the third on a touchdown pass with :32 seconds remaining to now lead 31-20.

Special teams came up big for Edward Waters as after a muffed punt was recoved by the Tigers at the LC one-yard line, senior running back Maliek Stephens scored his first touchdown of the season. Damaris August was able to score on the two-point conversion and EWU was seemingly back in the contest a 31-28 with 11:46 remaining in the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff however, Lane scored on a 91-yard kick return for a touchdown to extend their advantage back to double-digits at 38-28 with 11:36 remaining.

The Dragons put the proverbial nail in the Edward Waters coffin with 8:18 remaining tin the fourth, scoring on an 83-yard touchdown reception to extend their advantage to 45-28.

EWU closed out the scoring at the 5:47 mark of the fourth on a three-yard touchdown run from Cowart, but the Tigers could not close the gap, falling 45-35 and suffering their third straight loss.

Edward Waters had a phenomenal day offensively, putting up 424 yards of total offense, utilizing a balanced attack with 219 yards rushing and 205 yards through the air. The visitors had near equal success, posting 406 yards of total offense (325 through the air, 81 rushing).

Freshman QB Cedquan Smith had his best collegiate performance so far, going 14-26 passing for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Maliek Stephens led the Tigers on the ground with 14 carries for 79 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Ferante Cowart got things done through the air for EWU with seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side, freshman linebacker Ahmanuel Thorpe continued his impressive debut season, leading the way for EWU with nine total tackles, including 1.5 for loss. Junior defensive end Jaren Wilson had eight tackles, with 4.0 for loss, while senior DB Drevontae Jackson picked up his second interception of the season on Saturday.

Edward Waters will begin another two-game road trip next Saturday, October 2nd against the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. Kickoff from B. T. Harvey Stadium in Atlanta is set for 2:00pm.

Original source can be found here.