MOUNT BERRY, Ga. - The Berry College Vikings remain undefeated to start the season and evened the series against the Carnegie Mellon University Tartans, avenging last season's loss with a late 16-10 victory in thrilling fashing on a hot Saturday afternoon at Valhalla Stadium.
The sun hung high in the afternoon sky as the first quarter began, and the Tartans received the ball to kick off the battle. They took their time on the opening drive, stringing together a solid six plays before the Vikings forced a punt, earning their first possession of the day from their own forty. Despite containing the opening drive, Berry found themselves in a hole early. The offense struggled to find its rhythm, and the Tartans scored the first points of the day on a field goal. The first quarter ended with the Vikings scoreless, and Carnegie Mellon ahead 3-0.
Adding insult to injury, the Vikings opened the second quarter with an interception, and the Tartans capitalized on the error, extending their lead to two possessions at 10-0. The Vikings now faced an uphill battle, but they were up for the task. The Berry defense stifled Carnegie Mellon's offense on their next drive, and the Vikings climbed back within striking distance on the next drive.
Devin Gale's humongous effort on 2nd and 20 wiped the zero off the scoreboard with a 39-yard rush to the house. Berry brought themselves closer following the score, going for two and converting after
Jay Kanazawa found
John David Peacock in the endzone to give Berry 8 before the end of the first half to pull within 10-8.
With momentum on their side following the score, Berry received the opening kickoff for the second half in perfect position to put themselves ahead as the game continued. The Vikings found their flow methodically moving the ball up the field in the opening drive of the second half, but Carnegie Mellon cut the effort short forcing a fumble to set themselves up at their own 44 yard-line. Fortunately, the Tartans couldn't capitalize on the advantage they created for themselves as the Vikings defense held them to a missed field goal, but unfortunately Berry's turnover woes continued in the third as they ended all of their drives by giving the ball up before the end of the third still trailing 10-8.
The future looked bleak for the Vikings as Carnegie Mellon had the ball to start the fourth. The Tartans couldn't shore up their lead, but they ate precious time with their opening drive giving Berry nine minutes to make something happen. The Viking offense once again effectively moved the ball down the field, but at Carnegie Mellon's 39-yard line the turnover woes from the third carried into the fourth as the Tartans forced another interception. Carnegie Mellon couldn't take as much time off the clock as they would've liked to on the following drive, but with four and a half minutes to go and starting from their own 22 yard-line, the Vikings had a lot of ground to cover before they could go ahead. After a 25-yard run by
Andrew Hunter and a 17-yard completion to
Grant Cook, the Vikings put themselves in field goal range with a minute left. Unsatisfied with just three points, the Vikings pushed further forward, and
Andrew Hunter found
Zavion Plunkett wide open for the go-ahead touchdown, giving Berry their first lead of the day with :52 seconds left. Further unfulfilled by the mediocre four-point cushion, the Vikings went for two and once again found the endzone to go ahead by six. The Tartans had one last chance to score and worked the ball down to the Vikings' 25-yard line, but the defense held strong with
Sammy Kunczewski breaking up a hail mary throw in the endzone as the clock expired giving the Vikings a 16-10 win.
Andrew Hunter turned in 55 yards on the ground, 149 yards through the air, and a game winning touchdown to
Zavion Plunkett.
Devin Gale also led the team in rushing with 71 yards and a touchdown.
The Vikings have a week off and then begin their road trip in San Antonio, Texas, looking to continue their hot streak against the Trinity University Tigers on Saturday, October 3rd. The game will kick off at 1:00 p.m.
