Box Score SEWANEE, Tenn. (Oct. 5, 2013) – A blocked punt and an interception returned for a touchdown by Cortez Brown, led the Sewanee football team to a 31-28 comeback win over Southern Athletic Association (SAA) rival Birmingham-Southern, Saturday, at historic Hardee-McGee Field at Harris Stadium.
Sewanee (2-3, 1-0 SAA) has now defeated the Panthers (3-2, 1-1 SAA) for the second straight year.
After switching positions from running back to defensive back a couple of weeks ago, Brown blocked a punt that rolled through the back of the end zone midway through the second quarter.
Then with Sewanee down 21-9 with 5:03 left in the third quarter, Brown stepped in front of a pass thrown by BSC quarterback Tyson Beacham and raced 30 yards for the score.
The Tigers continued its comeback when Andy Moots capped off a six-play, 32-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter.
On the ensuing possession, Sewanee's defense again came through. On a 4-and-1 play from the BSC 42-yard line, Lonnie Scott and Derek Green led the charge that stopped Issac Nichols with 9:28 to play.
The Tigers took advantage of their excellent field position as quarterback Curtis Johnson finished a six-play, 42-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run.
BSC finally scored in the second half, when Beachman found Sam Vermilyea on a crossing pass from 18-yards out.
Tailback Devante Jones scored the first Sewanee touchdown, when he raced eight yards with 9:40 left in the third quarter.
The Panthers jumped out front early, when Nichols, Jacob Grams, and Kelly Batt scored rushing touchdowns in the first half.
The Tigers finished with 332 total yards, which included 254 yards on the ground. On defense, the Tigers limited BSC to five fewer first downs and three turnovers.
Individually, Johnson finished with 146 yards of total offense and a touchdown. Receivers Chris Wasden and Charlie Powell both had career-highs in receptions.
On defense, rover Alex Kops led the Tigers with 10 tackles. Fellow defensive back De'Nard Ford added eight stops and one pass breakup.
Additionally, Quentin Jones, Taylor Graham, and Brown all had one interception.
BSC was led on offense by Nichols, whom finished with 81 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Linebacker William Weller added a game-high 12 tackles for the Panthers.
Sewanee will look to win back the Orgill Trophy next Saturday, when the Tigers welcome long-time rival Rhodes to the Domain. The game, which dates back to 1899, is scheduled to kickoff at 1:00 p.m.
For more information on Sewanee Athletics, please visit www.SewaneeTigers.com. You can also check the Tigers out on Twitter (Sewaneeathletic) and Facebook (SewaneeAthletics).
