Epic comeback falls shortGreensboro downs MC 39-36 in OT

Early offensive mistakes leave Scots in a first half deficit The Maryville College football team attempted an epic comeback on Saturday, but fell to Greensboro in overtime. MC’s offense repeated exactly what they did a week earlier against Centre, on their first possession quarterback Justin Price threw an interception to give the Pride great field position. The theme of the day was set early as the defense would bail the offense and special teams out of key turnovers by limiting Greensboro to only a field goal. The Pride took the early lead 3-0. A failed Maryville fake punt and a personal foul when roughing the kicker set the stage for Greensboro’s Randal Rankins to hit is receiver Jason Alston on a slant. Alston broke two tackles to enter the end zone. Chris Palme missed the PAT wide left and the Pride led at the end of the first quarter 9-0. Maryville had a key momentum swing when a Pride punter received a poor snap and MC’s Rommel Hightower tackled him on the Maryville 20-yard line. Brad Daniel would attempt a 36-yard field goal, but it went wide right. Greensboro would mount a drive of their own, but Chris Palme hit the cross bar on a 28-yard field goal attempt and the score remained 9-0. Penalties, poor protection, and pressure on the quarterback seemed to be the theme of the entire first half. With the ball on the 36-yard line, MC’s Price fumbled when faced with consistent pressure. Greensboro hit pay dirt on the next play, as Tyrelle Lee hauled in a 36-yard touchdown to give Greensboro the lead at the half 16-0. Early in the third quarter, Maryville defense turned up the intensity. Stevie Buckner blocked a Prride punt and MC recovered on the 5-yard line. Rommel Hightower received a key block from Gary Murray and the freshman put MC on the scoreboard 16-6. The two-point conversion failed. MC’s defense would step up once again. Maryville’s defensive back J.R. Geld hauled in an errant Pride pass and took it 40-yards for a defensive score. Brad Daniels kick was good and with 6:29 remaining in the 3rd quarter, Greensboro led 16-13. Greensboro’s All-American Torrey Lowe returned the following kick-off to Maryville territory. A long sustained drive ended in a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Rod Herbin. The Pride’s kick was good and the score was 23-13. Maryville’s offense answered quickly with a 41-yard touchdown strike from Price to Cedric McDonald. Daniels kick put MC within 3 points at the 4:11 mark in the 3rd quarter. MC’s punt returned fumbled for the second time on the evening. The Scots Russ Harris picked up Locke only three plays later, as he recovered a Greensboro fumble. The Scots could not sustain a drive, but the defense had something special in mind. All-American Colby Townsend put pressure on Greensboro’s quarterback and the signal caller attempted to avoid a sack, but linebacker Derek Rang dove for the errant pass and hauled in the interception. Quarterback Justin Price took advantage of the field position and ran 7-yards to cap the scoring drive. MC’s PAT was wide right and Maryville had taken its first lead on the contest 26-23 with 8:17 remaining. The Pride would answer three minutes later. Chris Palme hit a 40-yard field goal with 5:45 remaining. The score was even at 26-26. Maryville would establish their best offensive drive of the contest. They ate up four minute of the clock and Rommel Hightower and Hubert Payne ran with a great deal of success. Price hit Randy Swafford on the 9-yard line and Payne followed with a touchdown dash. Maryville led 33-26. The Scots left only :56 seconds on the clock. Greensboro would establish an 80-yard drive. With :15 remaining Calvin Bacon hit Alston from 22-yards out to even the score at 33-33 and send the contest into overtime. In overtime, Maryville scored on a Brad Daniel 40-yard field goal. The Pride used seven plays and a Maryville penalty to get a first and goal on the 1. Greensboro’ Rod Herbin took the plunge into the end zone and the Pride claimed the victory 36-39. Maryville is 1-2 on the season (0-1 USA South). Greensboro is 1-0 (1-0 USA South). Maryville returns to action next Saturday at The University of the South. Kick-off is slated for 1:30 p.m. cst.