Erie Community College, State University of New York

Kats down Georgia Military

The Erie Community College (4-5) football team stunned 19th-ranked Georgia Military College, 13-10, this afternoon at Jim Ball Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.

Trailing 10-6 late in the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Tyheen Taylor rushed it in from one yard away for the winning score with 4:41 remaining in the game. Taylor finished the game 13-of-19 passing for 147 yards.

Erie took the first lead of the game on an eight yard run by freshman Zedric Joseph with 5:32 remaining in the first quarter. The play capped off a 45-yard drive that began when freshman defensive lineman Nicholas Brock fell on a Georgia Military fumble.  The Kats only led 6-0 after the extra point was missed.

On its next possession, Georgia Military responded by marching 74 yards on seven plays for the touchdown to make it a 7-6 game. Freshman running back Tobias Palmer ran it in from 11 yards away. Palmer finished the game with 159 rushing yards on 20 carries.

Neither team would score the next two quarters. Georgia Military had a chance to extend its lead midway through the third quarter when it had first and goal on the Kats five yard line but an unsportsmanlike penalty and a sack by Brock pushed the Bulldogs back and the drive ended on an interception by freshman cornerback Destry Berry.

Kicker Evan Kay’s 24-year field goal stretched Georgia Military’s lead to 10-6 with 12:41 remaining in the game.

The game turned in the Kats favor when after stopping Georgia Military on its next possession, the Bulldogs punter was unable to handle the snap and Erie got the ball on Georgia Military’s 34 yard line.

Erie took seven plays to go 34 yards for Taylor’s winning score. Taylor found Joseph on an 11 yard pass and freshman Ben Pinkard on a 14-yard pass during the drive.

Georgia Military marched down to the Erie 42 on its next drive but an interception by freshman linebacker Trent Alls with 1:40 remaining sealed the game.

Sophomore wide receiver Lawrence Coleman caught four passes for 47 yards for Erie. Defensively, freshman linebacker Malcolm Ricks had 12 tackles. Freshman defensive end Randy Bloom finished with four tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Sophomore Joune Fraser also had an interception for Erie to go along with five tackles.

The game was Erie’s first win in seven tries against the Bulldogs (5-4).

Erie plays its final game of the 2009 campaign when it visits Alfred State College, Friday, November 13.