MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Centre football picked up its first victory of the 2023 season in dramatic fashion as the Colonels defeated the Rhodes Lynx 28-26 in a triple-overtime thriller.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- The first quarter saw both teams end promising drives on fourth down. A clutch stop by
Duerell Bard gave Centre the ball back just outside the Rhodes 20.
- Centre got on the board first late in the first period as
Jack Gohmann capped off a five-play, 70-yard drive with a 33-yard strike to
Scotty Brown for a touchdown and an early 7-0 lead.
- The defenses dominated the rest of the opening half as Centre forced three straight punts from Rhodes in the second quarter to go into the locker room holding onto the touchdown lead.
- The Colonels forced the Lynx into a three-and-out and a short punt left Centre with a short field to start the third quarter. Another Gohmann-Brown connection put Centre into the red zone and
Cam Tegge capped off the drive with a short field goal to make it 10-0.
- The Lynx got on the board on their next drive with a chip shot field goal to make it 10-3. On the ensuing Centre drive, Gohmann rolled out and lofted a gorgeous deep ball to
Christian Billiter for a 36-yard score to put Centre back on top by two touchdowns at 17-3.
- Rhodes punched the ball back into the end zone on their next drive, taking nine plays to go 75 yards and plunging in from the goal line to narrow the gap to 17-10 as the third quarter expired.
- An interception set up Rhodes with good field position to start the fourth quarter, but the Centre defense held firm and forced an incomplete pass on fourth down to turn away the Lynx once again.
- After a Centre punt and a good return, the Lynx made a key fourth down conversion to get the ball into the red zone and ran it in from 16 yards out to make it a 17-17 tie.
- The Centre offense stalled and Rhodes got the ball back just shy of midfield with a little over three minutes left. The Lynx methodically drove down the field to set up what would have been the game winning field goal, but the 27-yard kick sailed wide right and the game headed to overtime.
- Both teams managed field goals in the first overtime, with Tegge converting from 43 yards out to extend the game and force a second overtime period.
- Gohmann launched another strike to
Travis Maufer for a 26-yard touchdown on Centre's second play of the second overtime, but the two-point conversion pass was incomplete. Rhodes quickly scored on their second overtime possession, but
Evan Elder stopped the designed quarterback run for a loss and the game continued, tied at 26-26.
- Now limited to two-point tries, Rhodes got the first opportunity at a score in the third overtime, but
Parker Guillaume knocked away the pass attempt. Centre made the most of their chance as Gohmann found
Joey Deshler wide open on a slant for the walk-off winner.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- Gohmann had a career day, going 19-33 through the air and throwing for 257 yards and three touchdowns.
- Seven different Centre players caught passes, with Billiter leading the way with five catches for 92 yards and a touchdown.
- Linebackers Bard and Elder combined for 20 tackles and two tackles for loss in the win.
- After hitting a career-long 42-yard field goal last week against Maryville, Tegge hit a new career mark with his 43-yarder in overtime to keep the game alive.
NEXT UP
The Colonels will return to Danville for their next game as they host Berry on Sept. 23 for Family Weekend.
