By By Will Bardwell / staff writer
Sept. 24, 2004
SCOOBA Just when it looked like East Mississippi Community College was about to make a triumphant fourth-quarter comeback, the Lions shot themselves in the foot.
Twice.
Mississippi Delta Community College recovered two straight muffed punts, taking advantage of the second one for a victory-clinching touchdown in its 35-26 win over East Mississippi on Thursday.
East Mississippi (0-4) trailed for most of the game after holding a brief 6-0 lead in the first quarter. After Rod Stevens threw a screen pass that went 47 yards for a touchdown, the sophomore quarterback struggled against Mississippi Delta's aggressive defense.
That opened the door for redshirt freshman Chas Brown to take the reins in the second quarter.
Trailing 21-6 as the fourth quarter opened, the Lions' defense forced and recovered a Trojans fumble near midfield. On the next play, Brown found Bernard George streaking down the sidelines for a 45-yard touchdown pass, trimming Mississippi Delta's lead to 21-13.
The East Mississippi defense stopped the Trojans cold on their next possession, and with a full rush coming on fourth down, the Lions forced a bad snap that sailed high over the head of Mississippi Delta's punter.
The Lions recovered the snap in the end zone for a touchdown, bringing East Mississippi to within two points of the Trojans.
But a special teams breakdown on the ensuing kickoff gave Trojans return man Tiger James a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 28-19 Mississippi Delta lead.
East Mississippi answered immediately, though, with a 70-yard kickoff return of its own, courtesy of George. A late hit foul on the Trojans set up the Lions at the Mississippi Delta 16.
A moment later, Brown hit Julius Randle on another touchdown strike, giving East Mississippi new life with 12 minutes to play at 28-26.
The two-point deficit was as close as the Lions came to a comeback, though. The two teams traded turnovers, and later the Lions lost muffs on two straight Mississippi Delta punts.
The Trojans gave themselves some breathing room on a Brian Martin touchdown reception with 3:46 left, then shut the door on East Mississippi on an interception in EMCC's end zone with 2:26 to play.
Still, despite a fourth straight loss to open the season, Carr said he takes solace in the Lions' constant improvement.