OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson University kicker
Brody Campbell nailed a 32-yard field goal in the first overtime, setting off a frenzy as the Mustangs (7-3, 6-3 MAC) defeated Eastern (2-8, 2-7 MAC) 26-23 in a wild affair on Saturday.
Campbell's kick, coming after Stevenson stopped the Eagles on their first possession in the overtime, punched the Mustangs' ticket to the MAC-Centennial Bowl next weekend. Matchups are yet to be determined and will come on Sunday evening.
Campbell converted two field goals, including one from 34 yards in the third quarter to knot the score at 9-all.
Quarterback
Nyaire Wilson, coming in for starter
Landon Winterbottom in the second half, went 13-for-20 in the final two quarters. He threw for 209 yards and two scores, one to
Jaiheem Henderson and one to
Deion Richardson. Both of them came in the fourth quarter.
Pat Gorman finished with nine catches for 115 yards, while Richardson had 71 yards on five catches.
Louis Clouser had 42 yards on 19 carries for Stevenson. Winterbottom, who left the game with an injury at the end of the second quarter, was 13-for-26 for 132 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively,
Gavin Shields had a game-high 12 tackles (nine solo), while
Marvin Manassa had eight stops.
After a scoreless first quarter, Stevenson took a 6-0 lead on a TD pass from Winterbottom to
Tylor Blake from 6-yards out with 13:24 left in the first half. Eastern would add a score with 1:24 left in the second half, tying the score at 6.
Both teams traded field goals in the third quarter, as Campbell hit his with 3:32 left to tie the score at 9-all.
After Eastern quarterback Brett Nabb scored a 41-yard rush with 12:21 left in the game, Stevenson answered back with two touchdowns to take a 23-16 lead with 5:53 left. The defensive stepped up, stopping an Eastern drive at the Stevenson 1-yard line to open the fourth quarter. After tying the score at 16-all, Stevenson kicker
Zachary Rutsch kicked the opening kickoff 80-yards out of the end zone, after the Mustangs were penalized following the touchdown.
Eastern tied the score with 3:20 left in the game as Kamar Cosby rushed from 2-yards out.
Stevenson then drove down to the Eastern 15-yard line, attempting a 33-yard field goal with one second left in the game but it was blocked.
In the overtime, Eastern was on offense first and a 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked by
Charles Greer. Campbell then converted his game-winner on the Mustangs' first offensive possession in the overtime.
