Boaz, AL
Wow what a close game we had here today, the Buckeyes of Ohio State came in with some attitude adn wanted to prove to the country that they are tough. OSU led by senior QB Wesley Gregory(who was 11-17-1 176 yards and a td) came out hungry and was all over Panthers soph. QB Jared Owens in the first half. The Buckeyes D also was all over the soph. TB of NE Alabama Brad Allen who is one of the best backs in the country. Allen was getting hit hard left and right. The #20 Buckeyes(1-0) scored a td on a 2 yard pass from Gregory to senior wide out Thomas McClain. At the half OSU led 7-3.
Coach Lawrence Bellows of NE Alabama was very displeased with his offense's lackluster performance in the first half and benched the QB Owens for the true freshman Leon Schultz who promplty fumbled the ball on his first offensive play on an option right inside the Panther 25. Luckily for NEA senior SS Vernon Drake would come right back 2 plays later and pick off Gregory to give the ball back to NEA.
Later in the game OSU was driving and got all the way inside the Panther 5 but was held to a FG. Score at this point was 10-3 OSU. Well OSU shut down NEA for most of the game but with 2:57 left OSU had the ball in the fourth and was forced to punt giving NEA the ball with just 1:29 left on the clock. Owens who had come back in shortly after the Schultz fumble was put to the test and he passed with flying colors. He led his team down the field 74 yards with 3 TO's left on the clock. With 10 seconds left trailing 10-3 on fourth and 7 from the Buckeye 9 yard line, Owens threw what will be known to NEA fans as the catch ala Dwight Clark and is pictured below to seal a slim victory for NEA and retain an undefeated mark.(2-0)
If NEA does not find a way to improve their passing game they will not go unbeaten and this should be one of Bellow's main concerns. Allen was held to 48 yards on 13 carries and Owens did play well in the second half with a game total of 7-11-0 115 yards and one td, but his first half performance was 1-5 for 8 yards. Somedbody needs to wake up NEA's offense.
Next up for NEA is a game in Ann Arbor Michigan against the Michigan Wolverines who are currently (1-2) but very solid all around.
Darren Gillespie catches the game winner with 3 seconds left against OSU. Gilespie leads the team in receiving yards with 98 yards off of 5 catches and two td's.