The rematch between Miles College and Clark Atlanta University wasn’t something many of the Panthers fans expected to see. The phrase it’s harder to beat a team the second time wasn’t something the Golden Bears paid any attention to; they came into the game looking to start where they finished when they played the Panthers for their homecoming getting a lopsided win 49-28 in Atlanta Georgia on October 19th .
The Golden Bears Head Football Coach Shade had his team focused and ready to complete the task of winning their first SIAC Championship under his leadership. The defense played with increased intensity, forcing the Panthers to make unwarranted mistakes that would be costly in this game. The Golden Bears defense forced several turnovers early in the championship game generating 23 unanswered points.
The Panthers showed their ability to recover from the early mistakes in the game with led by quarterback David Wright III connecting with Jamal Jones on back-to-back touchdown pass receptions forcing the Golden Bears to adjust due to Clark Atlanta offensive prowess to erase opposing team leads changing the outcome of the game to be in their favor.
The Panther defensive struggles continued to linger trying to slow down the Golden Bears rushing attack. Golden Bears Jonero Scott rushed for 85 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns, with Javonta Leatherwood adding two rushing and a receiving touchdown of his own in the game. The Golden Bears rushing attack proved to be their calling card rushing for 220 yards on 42 carries in the game.
Clark Atlanta Quarterback David Wright III had a magical season, saw his luck run out against the Golden Bears defense who intercepted Wright 4 times, and the Panthers backup quarterback Heath 2 times in the game pushing things out of reach for a possible comeback. Clark Atlanta University Wright threw the ball 44 times, completing 25 for 356 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions was the leading rusher for the Panthers rushing the ball 9 times for 42 yards.
Coach Sam Shade and his Miles College Golden Bears football team are making room in the Championship trophy case to add their 2024 SIAC DIV II Championship along with the 2011, 2015, 2018, and 2019 plus the 1977, 1984, and 1985 SIAC DIVIII trophies. The Golden Bears play Carson-Newman in the first round of the NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs.