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The Mississippi College football team saw another second half comeback fall just short in a 31-23 loss to West Georgia on Saturday afternoon at University Stadium.
The Choctaws (2-6, 0-6 GSC) fell behind 24-7 after a touchdown pass by the Wolves (5-3, 2-3 GSC) opened the second half and extended the lead.
The comeback began in the final drive of the first quarter as senior Marcel Newson caught a five-yard score from senior Sharone Wright, but the point after was missed to make the score 24-13.
Following a defensive stop, the Choctaws began a 13-play, 83-yard drive that took 6:38 and Wright found senior Michael Hodges Jr. for a 31-yard score. Hodges would then take a fake PAT into the end zone to cut the score to 24-21 with 8:03 to go in the game.
The Wolves jumped back ahead 31-21 with a drive of their own and left MC just 5:07 to make up a two-score deficit in the fourth quarter.
The Choctaws drove down inside the West Georgia five-yard line in the final minute, but a tipped-ball interception appeared to have ended MC’s day. However, the defender retreated into the end zone on the return and senior Sean Rogers caused a safety to make the score 31-23 and give the Choctaws the ball.
MC would get the ball across the 50-yard line, but a final hail mary attempt was cut down by a West Georgia sack to end the final threat.
Newson led the MC offense again with nine catches for 116 yards and a touchdown, adding seven carries for 48 yards. Wright threw for 190 yards and two touchdowns, carrying the ball 23 times for 40 yards.
The Choctaws piled up 339 yards of total offense, picking up 20 first downs in the process. They were called for nine penalties for 103 yards, however, and were just 3-of-10 on their down opportunities.
Sophomore Da’Quan Lewis led the Choctaws with eight tackles, including seven solo stops. Senior JaQarius Scott had five tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss and a sack for the MC defense.
The Wolves had a balanced attack of 181 passing and 189 rushing yards, with Travis Custis going for 132 and a score. Willie Candler threw for 181 yards and a touchdown for UWG.
Jeff Fullwood led the Wolves with nine tackles, eight solo, a tackle for loss and an interception.
The Choctaws will be back in action in two weeks, heading to Rome, Ga. following the bye week to face Shorter University at 12:30 p.m. (CT).
Mississippi College is a private Christian university located in Clinton, Mississippi with an enrollment of over 5,000 students. MC is recently finished their transition process back to NCAA Division II and the Gulf South Conference and will be competing for conference and national championships in the 2016-17 academic year.
The athletic department sponsors 17 intercollegiate athletic programs: Baseball, Men’s and Women’s Basketball, Men’s and Women’s Cross Country, Football, Golf, Men’s and Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s and Women’s Tennis, Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track & Field and Volleyball.
For more information on Mississippi College athletics, please contact David Nichols at 601-925-3234 or nichols@mc.edu
