Choctaws Suffer Loss in Opener
Choctaws Suffer Loss in Opener
Despite leading in the first quarter, the Choctaws fell on the road at Albany State
Choctaw football kicked off their season Saturday night with a tough loss on the road to the 20th-ranked Golden Rams of Albany State University, 28-14.
In a game that was defined throughout the night by the battle up front, the Choctaws got off to a hot start, scoring on the very first possession of the night. Marcus Williams got the offense going with a 55-yard run that landed the Choctaws at the Golden Rams’ 15-yard line. Three Cole Fagan carries later, DeAnte Smith-Moore punched in the first score of the night from one yard out.
Three possessions later the Choctaws once again took the lead on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Smith-Moore to senior running back Sam Wilder. The Choctaws would take a 14-7 lead into the second quarter.
The Golden Rams once again tied the game in the second quarter on an eight-yard carry by Kam Ward. Neither team would score again before the half.
After a scoreless third quarter, Albany State would take its first lead of the night, 21-14, after an eight-play, 80-yard drive was capped off by a six-yard touchdown run by Marcuis Fulks. The Rams would get on the board yet again in the fourth after a pitch by Smith-Moore was intercepted and returned 52 yards for a touchdown by Jaree Turner.
The Choctaws would then drive deep into Rams' territory before a third and ten pass into the end zone by Smith-Moore was intercepted by Brandarius Rawl. The Golden Rams would then run out the remaining 3:40 on the clock.
The Choctaws’ run game was led by Marcus Williams who gained 121 yards on just six carries for an average of 20 yards per carry. Cole Fagan carried the ball 15 times for 74 yards, Smith-Moore gained 73 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries, Sam Wilder picked up 64 yards on just three carries, and Ron Craten picked up 24 yards on three carries.
In the passing game, Smith-Moore went 4-for-14 for 64 yards, a touchdown, and two interceptions. Wilder was the leading receiver with his 29-yard touchdown reception, and Williams, Craten, and Me’Kyle Franklin also recorded a catch each.
On defense, the Choctaws were led by Jason Betz who had eight tackles. Ryan Broussard and Calvin Sims also had good days recording five and four tackles, respectively.
The Choctaws will return home Saturday, September 10, when they will face Kaiser College in their home opener at 12:00 p.m.