Jacksonville, FL., -- The Edward Waters football team collected a huge, 33-28 Homecoming victory over Allen University Saturday evening inside Nathaniel Glover Stadium in Jacksonville, FL.
With the victory, the Tigers take claim of the Bishop's Trophy for yet another season and end the 2024 season with a final record of 3-7 including a 3-5 mark in Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) play.
EWU was clicking on all cylinders throughout the ball game en route to a Senior Day and AME Classic victory. The Tiger defense struck first forcing fumbles from the Yellow Jacket offense in their first two drives of the game. Jonathan Nesbit stripped Allen's Mike Bowman as sophomore DJ Roberts recovered the ball to give possession back to the Tigers. James Walton, Jr collected the second fumble after Allen's quarterback Jamir Dismukes fumbled after rushing the ball toward the EWU defense.
The Tigers would get into the scoring column first as wide receiver Makai Lovett hauled in a 16 yard touchdown pass from quarterback Juwan Dent. But the Yellow Jackets would answer on the following drive to tie the game at 7-7.
The tie would be short lived as Edward Waters used nine plays to go 69 yards capped off by a Johntarrious Thomas 18 yard touchdown run. After Allen scored two touchdowns and three field goals from kicker Cooper Badics the Tigers held a 23-21 lead headed into the fourth quarter. Badics would chip in another field goal to put the Tigers ahead, 26-21. But on the very next drive the Yellow Jackets would take a 28-26 lead that would last nearly the entirety of the fourth quarter.
But late in the fourth quarter as the Yellow Jackets were trying to run the clock out and secure the AME classic victory, Jamir Dismukes was stripped from behind by defensive lineman Davari Williams and DJ Roberts recovered his second fumble of the contest.
That fumble would lead to the game winning drive for the Tigers as Juwan Dent found Makai Lovett in the back of the end zone for a fantastic catch over two Yellow Jacket defenders. The score put the Tigers ahead, 33-28 with just over 30 seconds left in the ball game. But it was a Stephan French interception that sealed the victory for Edward Waters.
Juwan Dent finished the game with 268 yards passing with two touchdowns. Johntarrious Thomas led the Tiger backfield with 124 yards rushing on 14 carries. Thomas scored one touchdown and averaged 8.9 yards a carry for the game. Kentrelle Williams addd 74 yards on the ground. Johnny Jones, III led the Tigers receiving corps with 125 yards on six catches. Jones also rushed one time for 24 yards. Makai Lovett caught seven passes for 103 yards and two touchdowns.
Defensively, Widmyer Garcon and De'Angelo Sapp both led EWU with six tackles each. Jonathan Nesbit added five tackles and a forced fumble. Stephan French chipped in four tackles and an interception. Dartrell Rolle tallied another four tackles.
The Tigers will now look forward to winter and spring workouts as they prepare for the 2025 season.
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