Seniors win last career home game in style
Put together a career high day for junior quarterback Greg McGhee, with a severely diminished Savannah State roster, and you get a football game where the Tigers (1-10, 0-7) stood little to no chance. The Bison took the field at Greene Stadium for the last time this year, and for 20 seniors, for the last time of their college careers, and they didn’t disappoint the masses of family, friends and fans who came out to support the senior Bison in their very last home game.
“It was bittersweet. It was like I wanted to go win, but I knew today was my last game,” senior defensive back Ademola Olatunji said. “It was mixed emotions.”
Ironically, by the looks of the first quarter, it appeared as if it would be the Bison (4-6, 3-4) who would have the rough outing, and the Tigers who would pull off the huge shocker. After a big opening kick return, McGhee fumbled the ball on just the second play of the drive, which resulted in a 72-yard touchdown drive led by Savannah State backup quarterback Leon Prunty. The freshman was forced to make the start after senior Antonio Bostick, the MEAC’s leading passer, was suspended from the game due to “team violations.”
After two missed field goal attempts from less than 30 yards out, the Bison found themselves down 7-0 with just under ten minutes left to play in the first half.
"We got off to a slow start," said Howard head coach Ray Petty. "Offensively, we turned the ball over on the second or third play of the game, and their offense came on the field and did a good job of moving the ball down the field."
In addition to the early turnover, Howard’s running attack struggled early, which was to be expected due to the number of hits Howard has taken at the running back position this year. In addition to the early season-ending injury to original starter, junior Aquannis Freeman, sophomore William Parker also sat out for the second straight week with two ankle injuries. Freshman Anthony Philyaw also suffered an injury last week against Delaware State, but played in spite of it.
“Philyaw gutted it out,” Petty said. “He had a sore knee he hurt against Delaware State last week, but he stayed in the game. He’s a tough guy, but as you can see he’s not the same guy he was two weeks ago.”
After two well-engineered drives that resulted in no points for Howard, McGhee stayed the course and came out and struck fast with a 39 yard bullet to senior receiver Matthew Colvin, who ended up being McGhee’s biggest target on the day with 102 yards, after struggling all season. The completion was followed by an 18-yard touchdown run by Philyaw, which finally put Howard on the board.
McGhee then took advantage of two abysmal punts from Savannah State, which allowed Howard to start both drives in Tiger territory. First, McGhee took the offense 48 yards down the field in seven plays, ending it with a six-yard touchdown completion to Colvin. Then, with 3:49 left to play in the half, McGhee rushed for 26 yards, and ended that drive with a three-yard touchdown run from Philyaw, allowing Howard to go into halftime ahead 20-7.
Savannah State attempted to get something going early in the second half after completing a 42 yard pass down the left sideline on their opening possession, but the Howard defense made a big stop on fourth down on their own 23 yard line, and on the change of possession, McGhee added insult to injury by rushing for a 53-yard touchdown.
“With all three of our running backs down, it’s great that Greg is the dual threat that he is, “ Petty said. “He’s a real threat when he pulls the ball down and runs with it, and even more of a threat when we start running design runs for him.”
Late in the third, with a 28-7 lead, the Bison lost focus and aided Savannah State by committing four penalties on plays that would have ended the Tigers’ drive, allowing them to go 92 yards down the field for a touchdown. But McGhee quickly responded with his second rushing touchdown on the day, dismissing any glimmer of hope for a Savannah State comeback.
In the fourth quarter, McGhee added another touchdown pass to his day, this time to junior Richard Aiyegoro to ice the game.
McGhee’s career high 474-yard day places him third all-time in school history for total offense in one game. He says the key to his success has been continuing to take it one day at a time.
“I just stay humble and come to work everyday just like everyone else in the world, “ McGhee said. “I have to keep pushing, and never get comfortable. That’s one think I always tell myself, and it’s gotten me this far.”