Excitement filled the air at the inaugural Big Cat Classic, where the Clark Atlanta University Panthers defeated the Morehouse College Maroon Tigers 31-21 to earn their third consecutive victory against Morehouse.
Clark Atlanta struck first in explosive fashion when Trayvon Pinder broke free for a 94-yard rushing touchdown, giving the Panthers an early 7-0 lead.
Morehouse responded with a field goal before Chase Devaughn found the end zone on the ground, keeping the Maroon Tigers within striking distance.
The two teams continued exchanging blows through three quarters. Devaughn scored his second rushing touchdown of the afternoon to cut Clark Atlanta’s lead to three and give Morehouse an opportunity to complete the comeback.
The Panthers quickly answered.
Clark Atlanta quarterback Xzavier Jackson connected with Chry’Shawn Sellers for a 50-yard touchdown, swinging the momentum back toward the Panthers and putting Clark Atlanta firmly in control.
The Panthers held on from there, securing the 31-21 victory and another year of bragging rights over their neighbors across the street.
But even with the intensity surrounding the game, students believe the rivalry represents something larger than wins and losses.
“An example of what it is to disagree with one another and have a friendly battle but at the end of the day come back in love and unity so we can come together and elevate the Black community and push it forward,” said Demarion King, a senior at Morehouse College.
Morehouse and Clark Atlanta’s rivalry spans generations. In 1900, then-Atlanta Baptist College defeated then-Clark University 56-0 in their first rivalry game. Both schools shared a winning streak, with Clark Atlanta holding the longest at 12 games from 1942 to 1953.
For a few hours, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta battled for bragging rights. Despite the game’s final score, both institutions remain part of the larger AUC community.
Scores change, players graduate and another team eventually earns the bragging rights, but for those who experience the rivalry themselves, the tradition never really ends.
Based on reporting by Morehouse College – The Maroon Tiger.
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