National No. 1 Bishop Gorman downs St. Thomas Aquinas in triple overtime

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LAS VEGAS — The streak lives on.

Nationally-ranked No. 1 Bishop Gorman (6-0) went for the two-point conversion in the third overtime to outlast St. Thomas Aquinas (3-2), 25-24, on Friday.

Gorman, the two-time defending Super 25 champions, ran its winning streak to 45 consecutive games.

Initially, the Gaels were planning to go for the extra point and the tie, but a penalty against Aquinas on the extra point inched the ball closer. Gorman coach Kenny Sanchez then opted for the two and Biaggio Ali Walsh scored the winning points.

In the third overtime, Aquinas receiver Jonathan Moore was left alone on the left side and took the ball to the 1-yard line, and Mike Epstein drove in for the touchdown on the next play.

Gorman answered on the first play of its possession with a 10-yard TD from Martell to Jalen Nailor, setting up the game-winning two-point conversion.

Neither team scored in the second overtime. Bubba Bolden deflected Marco Salani’s 25-yard field goal attempt for Aquinas and Gorman was stopped on downs. The Gaels had the ball on fourth down with the nose of the ball just outside the goal line but could not score. Middle linebacker Farrell Hester was inserted at fullback, but Aquinas defense stuffed the line.

In the first overtime, St. Thomas Aquinas’ Jordan Merrell caught a swing pass from Jake Allen and dove into the end zone on the first place. Gorman answered with an 8-yard TD pass to Nailor on a sliding catch over the middle on fourth down.

Salani’s 24-yard field goal as time expired forced the overtime. Aquinas took over at its own 39 with 3:39 remaining and moved inside the 10 with help from a gutsy scramble from Allen and a pass interference penalty. Aquinas ran three consecutive running plays with a first-and-10 from the 14 with 1:14 remaining.

Gorman had taken the lead 10-7 on a 16-yard touchdown reception by Brevin Jordan with 7:35 left in the fourth quarter. The scoring drive began at the 20-yard line after Bubba Bolden’s interception in the end zone.

On that play, Aquinas star receiver, Trevon Grimes, injured his knee. He was helped off the field and then wheeled on a stretcher from the sideline to the locker room by medical personnel. Grimes, an Ohio State commit, had scored Aquinas’ touchdown.

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