The Owls just keep finding ways to win.
With a playoff berth on the line and an opportunity to avenge its only loss from last season, the MUS varsity football team scored 14 fourth-quarter points and gave up only 151 total yards to pull out a 17-7 “Super 7” victory over Baylor in Chattanooga last Friday night.
The Owls (5-0, 2-0) started well as they took the opening kickoff and immediately showed that they were prepared for the Red Raiders (3-2, 0-2). Two Michael Park-to-Stephen Bowie passes, including a 35-yarder on the first play of the game, got MUS going. However, after having driven 51 yards deep into Baylor territory, the home team finally stopped the drive, forcing a 39-yard field-goal attempt by senior Chad Hazlehurst. Hazlehurst’s try split the uprights as the visitors took the early lead, 3-0.
After the Owl defense held the Red Raiders on their first possession on three plays, MUS looked to add to their lead. However, after three illegal-blocking penalties pinned the Owls inside their own 10-yard line, Park was intercepted by Baylor CB Ty Levie, and the Red Raiders were set up at the MUS 28-yard line.
Though the MUS defense looked poised to keep Baylor from scoring, the Red Raiders ultimately took advantage of the Owl turnover, capping off a 10-play, 28-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown reception by TE Trey Dyer from QB Cody Romans. Devin Mathis’ PAT gave the Red Raiders the 7-3 lead with 2:23 left in the first quarter.
That touchdown would be the last score of the half as both defenses dominated, forcing punts throughout the rest of the first half. Neither team could build on their initial scores as the teams headed to the locker-room.
Though the score was close, Baylor held a significant advantage in time-of-possession, 15:02-8:58. The MUS coaches knew that they must keep their defense off the field in the second stanza to keep them fresh and to wear on the Baylor defense on this very humid, muggy evening.
In the third quarter, the Owls started to accomplish their goal. The MUS offensive line began to take control up front, and sophomore RB Tyler Massey was the beneficiary. Massey gained many of his 105 rushing yards in the second half as the back found some holes. The Owls also began to win the field-position battle as they played much of the third quarter in Baylor territory, putting pressure on the Red Raiders. With these two factors in their favor, the Owls looked to dominate the fourth quarter as they began to close the time-of-possession gap.
MUS finally grabbed the lead with 9:01 left in the game as RB Whit Cox came in with fresh legs and rumbled in from 4 yards out on 4th-and-goal, culminating an impressive 15-play, 54-yard drive that amassed 5:35. The drive saw the Owls pick up two fourth-down conversions and run on 11 of their 15 plays during the possession. Hazlehurst’s PAT gave MUS a 10-7 lead.
The Owls’ defense stepped up as well and quickly gave the ball back to the offense as Baylor could not move the ball.
Now with the ball, MUS looked to salt the game away. Starting with 7:08 remaining at their own 28, the Owls systematically drove 72 yards on 13 plays while eating up 6:09, mainly with the running of Massey. MUS also took advantage of two Baylor penalties, including a roughing-the-passer penalty on one 3rd-down and a roughing-the-kicker penalty following an Owl punt that continued the drive.
Using the penalties, MUS moved into Baylor territory, and, after Massey had picked up a crucial 4th-and-4 conversion, Cox scored his second touchdown as he raced in from 24-yards out with only 59 seconds remaining. The touchdown and Hazlehurst’s PAT ended the scoring as the Owls overcame.
Unlike the first half, MUS won the time-of-possession battle in the second half, 13:23-10:37. The Owl defense was very well-rested in the fourth quarter because of their time off the field and therefore made stops late in the game, limiting Baylor to only 65 total yards in the second half.
With the win, only their third in Chattanooga since the inception of the "Super 7," the Owls clinched a playoff berth as they extended their series lead over Baylor to 5-3. They will look to continue to improve this week as they will face Northside this Friday night at the much friendlier confines of Hull-Dobbs Field. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.