Golden Bears Win Big in Home Opener
Ako Drew
After three consecutive weeks on the road to start the season, the Miles Golden Bears (3-1, 2-0 SIAC) was finally able to enjoy the friendly confines of Sloan-Alumni Stadium. The home debut was a SIAC contest against the Panthers of Clark-Atlanta (0-4, 0-2 SIAC). The Golden Bears scored early and scored often, routing the Panther 55-14.
The Golden Bears opened up the scoring on their first possession.
Edwin Kleinpeter and
Brandon Hicks handled most of the work on the drive. Kleinpeter was 3/3 passing, and scored on a 16 yard run. The Golden Bears would add another touchdown later in the 1st quarter when Kleinpeter connected with
Deontez White for a 38-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 14-0. Kleinpeter would add another touchdown on a 24-yard pass to
Kevin Robertson making the margin 21-0. Miles would enter the half 28-0 after executing a double-pass. Kleinpeter connected to
Aaron Frazier who then hit
Geordon Pollard for the 28-yard touchdown.
The Panthers would score on their first possession of the second half but the Golden Bears would not let the score go unanswered. The Golden Bears would answer with a 47-yard bomb from Kleinpeter to
Jaih Andrews for the score, a missed extra point would make the score 34-7. The Golden Bears would add another touchdown in the quarter, with a six play, 79-yard drive that started with a
Nicholis Brown 32 yard run. Kleinpeter would connect with Pollard to cap off the drive to increase the lead to 41-7
Early in the fourth quarter, with
Kamren Ivory seeing action at quarterback, the Golden Bears would complete an 80-yard drive on a 23-yard touchdown pass to
Jaquel Fells to make the score 48-7. The Golden Bears defense was stout all day and forced a fumble that resulted in a touchdown two plays later when
William Speed rushed for a 33-yard score. A late touchdown by Clark-Atlanta would make the final score 55-14.
On the day, Miles would finish just short of 600 yards of total offense at 597. The offense punted just once and the defense would have three takeaways.
Edwin Kleinpeter completed 15/20 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns.
Geordon Pollard was on the receiving end of two of those touchdowns, and totaled seven receptions for 85 yards.
Jaih Andrews led the way with 90 receiving yards on three catches and a touchdown.
Brandon Hicks led the ground attack with 68 yards on nine carries. Defensively,
Jeffrey Scott,
Quinci Nelms,
Cameron Williams, and
JarDarrius McNealey each had three solo tackles. McNealey and
Deontez White both had an interception.
The Golden Bears will travel to Wilberforce, OH to take on the Marauders of Central State (1-3, 0-2 SIAC) Saturday at 12:00 p.m. The game will air on ESPN+.
