LAGRANGE, GA—Greensboro College's fourth quarter rally came up just short as the Pride football team fell to the Panthers of LaGrange College, 27-25, on Saturday afternoon in USA South Athletic Conference action.
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The Panthers kept the Pride off the board in the first half to take a 13-0 lead into the intermission.
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However, Greensboro was able to cut the deficit to 13-7 following their first drive of the third quarter., On the drive that started on their own 29 yard line, Greensboro capped off a nine play 71 yard drive that took just over four minutes off the third quarter clock.
Mac Graham connected with his tall wide receiver,
Armani Williams, from fourteen yards out to find the end zone before
Ryan Campbell added the point after attempt.
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Later in the quarter, LaGrange was able to add to their lead with another touchdown to make the score 20-7.
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Greensboro did not go away as
Carlton Williams recovered a Panthers muffed punt to give Greensboro the ball on the LaGrange 20 yard line. Four plays later,
Kenneth Purvis rushed the ball up the middle for a two yard touchdown run. The Pride was unable to convert the point after but pulled within seven points at 20-13.
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LaGrange then responded back with a long drive of their own to push the Greensboro deficit back to fourteen at 27-13.
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The Pride then answered right back with a seven play 75 yard drive that resulted in Purvis's second rushing touchdown of the day. Following a Graham completion to
Raymond Bridges, Purvis accounted from the next 37 yards that included a 26 yard touchdown scamper to pull the Pride to within 27-19.
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Greensboro then got one more score on the day with a ten yard touchdown run to make the score 27-25 with just over seven minutes to play. Following the touchdown, Graham's two point conversion pass came up just short.
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On the ensuing possession for LaGrange, the Pride defense came up big to forcing the Panthers to punt the ball away..
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Greensboro took over on their own twenty yard line but the last minute drive came up short as the Pride fell 27-25.
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"Our guys played extremely hard for a full four quarters today," Head Coach
Bill Young stated following the game. "We have got to limit the self-inflicted mistakes but we will keep grinding away. We will break down the film and turn the page to next week against Averett."
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Graham finished the day with 236 yards through the air and two touchdowns.
Kenneth Purvis finished the afternoon with two touchdowns and 91 yards rushing while
Cortez Vernon contributed 85 yards on the ground.
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Herbert Bridges and
Micah McMaster combined to lead the team in tackles with 16 and three pass breakups.
Tyrone Barber also had a strong day on the defensive side of the ball. Barber recorded seven total tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble.
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The Pride (1-4, 0-2 USA South) will return home next Saturday against Averett University. The homecoming game is set to get underway at 1:00 PM. For the latest on Greensboro College football, continue to follow
www.greensborocollegesports.com. ,
