MIAMI, Fla. – The week two edition of Thursday Night Football, was a nail bitter between the Columbus Explorers (1-1) and Northwestern Bulls (2-0). These two teams went back and forth all game long until the Bulls finally came away with the 19-14 victory.
THE INFO: The Explorers for the second straight week started off the game with a quick touchdown as Marcelo Rodriguez found Darren Davis Jr. in a half back screen for an 82-yard touchdown reception early in the first quarter.
Chatarois “Tutu” Atwell and the Bulls offense came out looking to be dominant in the running game as Kai Henry had over seven carries on the first drive alone. The drive came to a close in the red zone when the Explorers stopped down on fourth and goal.
Rodriguez and the Explorer’s offense then took over their next two drives inside their own five-yard line, but couldn’t get anything going as Northwestern started blitzing on Rodriguez.
With a little less than eight minutes left in the first half, Atwell started using his speed and agility to create plays which Columbus did not have an answer for.
Atwell’s speed would eventually lead the Bulls into Explorer territory and capped off the drive with a nine-yard touchdown run tying the game at 7-7 nearing halftime.
A late last second drive by the Explorers fell short at the half expired.
On the first play of the second half, Columbus capitalized quickly as CB Trajan Brandy read the bubble screen coming from the Bulls forcing a hit on Andre Adams who in turn fumbled the ball.
Safety Austin Chacon recovered the fumbled ball at the Bulls 21-yard line which then, in turn, lead to a touchdown pass from Rodriguez to receiver Tyler Harrell from 21-yards out to take a 14-7 lead early in the third quarter.
However, Columbus’ hopes of putting away the Bulls were dashed in the fourth quarter.
With the Bulls defense blitzing, Rodriguez fumbled the ball on a hit allowing Northwestern’s Samuel Brooks Jr. recovering the fumble and returning it 52-yards for a 19-14 lead
The Explorer had a couple of more chances towards the end of the game to win with, but with second left on the clock, Rodriguez threw the ball into the end zone where the Bulls picked it off for a 19-14 victory.
KEY PLAY OF THE GAME: The Bulls had a great blitz causing Rodriguez to fumble with Northwestern’s Samuel Brooks Jr. picking up the fumble to return for 52-yards to give the Bulls a 19-14 lead.
STAR OF THE GAME: Bulls Running Back Kai Henry had 22 carries for 150 yards. Henry did not score any touchdowns as he was stopped at the goal line three times by the Explorers but he constantly led the offense down the field and got them in good field range.
DID YOU KNOW: University of Miami head coach Mark Richt and 1uarterback Brad Kaaya made an appearance at the game to see some potential future Hurricanes prospects. Yesterday marked the first official day under NCAA rules that coaches can scout players games.
WHAT’S NEXT: The Explorers will face off against rival Miami Southridge, in what could be a clash of the titans, on Friday, Sept. 9 at Tropical Park. Miami Northwestern will play a non-district game vs. Plantation American Heritage at Traz Powell Stadium on Friday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m.
