ATHENS, W.Va. – Throughout the fall semester, the Concord University Sports Information Department will be looking back at different events and games that has shaped Concord Athletics to what it is today in a "On This Day" segment.
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On this day in 2014, the Concord University football team completed an undefeated regular season and captured the Mountain East Conference Championship with a 29-20 overtime win at Shepherd.
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The teams collided with both nationally ranked. Concord checked in at 12
th while Shepherd was ranked 21
st in Division II. Additionally, both squads had met in 2013 in Athens for the MEC Championship with SU claiming a 41-33 win.
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In 2014, neither team led by more than seventh points until the final play of the game. Shepherd's Billy Brown opened the scoring on the first play from scrimmage with a 67-yard touchdown reception. But, the next two scores in the game belonged to Concord's TJ Smith as he hauled in touchdown scores of 71 and 55 yards from Brian Novak.
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The Rams tied the game at 13-13 with 2:57 left in the third quarter. However, CU immediately responded as Tiko Henderson returned the ensuing kickoff 92 yards to give the Mountain Lions a 20-13 edge. With scoring at a premium, it was Shepherd that broke through in the final minute of regulation to force overtime, tied at 20-20.
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On CU's overtime possession, Andy Ellington connected on a 43-yard field goal. The Rams appeared as though they would send the game to a second extra session with a 24-yard field goal, but Concord's defensive line blocked the attempt.
Jeremiah Johnson scooped up the bounding ball and ran 86 yards for a touchdown.
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Brian Novak threw for 227 and two touchdowns. Smith hauled in 158 receiving yards to go with two touchdowns. Running back Calvinaugh Jones rushed for 109 yards. Austin Dotson racked up 11 tackles.
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The conference championship was the second for Concord in a four-year span.
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