MONROE, La. ?Bradley Robinson spoiled a record-breaking night by Calvin Dawson with an 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown with 57 seconds remaining, lifting Middle Tennessee to a 43-40 victory over ULM Saturday night in Malone Stadium.
The Warhawks (3-6, 3-3 Sun Belt) took a 40-37 lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from Kinsmon Lancaster to Zeek Zacharie. The score capped off a 12-play 65-yard scoring drive after Middle Tennessee (5-5, 4-1) took a 37-33 advantage on a one-yard touchdown by Joe Craddock on fourth-and-goal with 2:36 remaining in the game.
Dawson set the ULM career rushing record with his third touchdown of the game, a 62-yard run in the third quarter. The senior back now has 3,121 yards in his career, passing Roosevelt Potts' total of 3,061.
He also broke the single-season 100-yard rushing game record with his eighth, the career 100-yard rushing record with 17 and the ULM single-game all-purpose yards record with 329 yards. He finished the game with 180 yards rushing on just 17 carries, he caught three passes for 67 yards and returned three kicks for 82 yards.
Craddock finished the game 22-of-29 for 401 yards and four touchdowns, while Lancaster completed 24-of-38 for 264 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Craddock set the Middle Tennessee school record with 471 yards of total offense passing Clint Marks.
Lancaster also rushed for a career-high 138 yards on 16 carries, marking the second time this season that two ULM players rushed for over 100 yards in a game. Dawson and Frank Goodin both went over 100 yards at Clemson in week two.
Both teams ranked up yardage on offense with the Warhawks totaling 624 yards and Middle Tennessee posting 499 yards. ULM rushed for 360 yards against the Sun Belt's leading rushing defense.
The Warhawks wrap up the home schedule next week hosting Grambling in Malone Stadium at 4:00 pm. The game marks the final home contest for 15 ULM seniors.
Scoring Summary:
MT-DeFatta 47 FG, 10:25, 1st 0-3
ULM-Dawson 17 run (Wilson kick), 6:64, 1st 7-3
MT-Gee 42 pass from Craddock (King kick), 0:28, 1st 7-10
ULM-Dawson 7 run, 12:38, 2nd 14-10
MT-Ingle 11 pass from Craddock (King kick), 9:32, 2nd 14-17
ULM-Wilson 20 FG, 3:35, 2nd 17-17
MT-Gee 66 pass from Craddock (King kick), 2:12, 2nd 17-24
ULM-Coleman safety, 1:14, 2nd 19-24
ULM-Sapp 4 pass from Lancaster (Wilson kick), 0:40, 2nd 26-24
MT-Grigsby 94 pass from Craddock (King kick blocked), 11:53, 3rd 26-30
ULM-Dawson 62 run (Wilson kick), 10:33, 3rd 33-30
MT-Craddock 1 run (King kick), 2:36, 4th 33-37
ULM-Zacharie 6 pass from Lancaster (Wilson kick), 0:57, 4th 40-37
MT-Robinson 89 kickoff return (King kick missed), 0:45, 4th 37-43
Quotes:
ULM Head Coach Charlie Weatherbie
On the game
I just praise God for the opportunity to be out here with these young men. This was a great football game that could have gone either way. It just didn't go our way tonight.
On the kickoff return for touchdown
We had to make a decision on whether we were going to try to squib it or kick it deep. We had done a great job of covering it deep all night long and we felt good about it. We thought our guys could take care of it. We let them return it for a touchdown. We will take a look at it and will see where we made some mistakes and will get them corrected. That football game could have gone either way and it didn't go ours tonight. Went our way last week, but it didn't go our way this week.
On getting a good crowd for the Grambling State game
It should be. We will take a look at that when it gets here.
Junior Tight End Zeek Zacharie
On his touchdown in the fourth quarter
I felt good. I thought it was the game winner.
On his improved production against conference opponents
Our coaches have been doing a good job at scheming for the defenses we have been going against. We have been working hard at getting more open.
On the offensive production against Middle Tennessee
We knew that they played a lot of man defense. We knew if everyone kept playing and running hard that it would open up the pass game.
On the upcoming game
Next week is going to be a big game. There will be a great crowd and we will have to come out and play hard from the beginning.
Senior Running Back Calvin Dawson
On setting the school rushing record
I feel like we could have played better. Yeah I got the record, but it doesn't mean anything to me without the win.
On preparing for Grambling State
We have to put this game behind us. All we can do is control the next one and focus on Grambling State.
Senior Cornerback Bradley Robinson (24)
On his kick return
That was the first time every in my career. I was asking to go in. I was saying coach I want to make a play. I told coach that everyone would make their blocks and I would make something happen and that is what I did.
On how the play set up
We did a right return because they didn't have as many men on that side of the field. Patrick Honeycutt and Desmond Gee had great blocks. They walled them off and I broke off Honeycutt's block. There was nobody left but the kicker and you can't let the kicker take you down.
On the finish
They had a great offense and were moving the ball against us. They scored with only about 56 seconds left. We knew we had a chance because our offense was also moving the ball. I just went out there and tried to make a play.
Senior Defensive End Erik Walden (43)
On the game
I think that is the wildest game I have been in since I have been here. You have to take your hats off. They are a great team, but our playmakers made plays. You have to take your hats off to them though.
On being able to come back
It was a fight out there. There were times that it looked good and times that it didn't. Our hard work and conditioning paid off for us.
Sophomore Wide Receiver Desmond Gee (2)
On being the other man deep on the kickoff return
It was supposed to go to him. He [Bradley Robinson] was the man. I just blocked for him and he did his thing.
Head Coach Rick Stockstill
On the game
I have probably never been in a game where they scored to go ahead with less than a minute and we returned the kickoff for a touchdown. It is a credit to our team. To our guys who never quit and continue to play and fight. Even when they scored nobody on our side ever doubted.
On the play of ULM quarterback Kinsmon Lancaster
Their quarterback was very good. He made some great runs and I told him after the game that he played a great game. His ability to pass and run made him tough. We had a real hard time with him. He just about beat us single handed.
On the decision to play Bradley Robinson in the final kickoff return
We were kind off looking around and Bradley said he wanted to go. We put him back there and we are very fortunate that the football gods were looking down on us tonight. We had some great blocks and he made a good run.
