Garza to Harris Déjà vu Takes Lambuth Past UVA-Wise in Final Seconds

October 7, 2006
Game Stats

Wise, VA – Josh Garza found Ryan Harris from 27 yards with 17 seconds left to take Lambuth University over The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, 47-43, in football Saturday afternoon. The two Eagles provided some déjà vu for the Highland Cavaliers as they connected for the winning points last season.

Lambuth improves to 6-0 all-time against UVA-Wise and have now put together three-straight wins to even its mark to 3-3. The 23rd-ranked Cavs fall for the second week in a row to 4-2 on the year. In the 2005 edition trailing 21-19, Garza found Harris deep over the middle for a 49-yard score to make it 25-21 with 2:39 left in the game before the Eagle defense held on a last minute Cavs’ drive.

The Eagles’ Brandon Okechukwu ran a perfect reverse for 16 yards to give the visitors their first lead of the day, 40-35, with 3:41 left in the game.

UVA-Wise quarterback Randy Hippeard (Stafford, VA/Colonial Forge) engineered a nine-play, 73-yard scoring drive capped by a 21-yard touchdown pass to Aric Evans (Cincinnati, OH/Taft)to regain the lead, 43-40, with 1:14 on the clock.

After starting with the ball on its own 43-yardline, Garza ran for 17 yards to the home 40-yardline on the first play. He completed two of the next three passes for 13 yards to the Cavs’ 27. From there, Garza lofted the ball to the right corner at the one-yard line where Harris hauled it in over the UVA-Wise defender for the game-winning points, 47-43, with 17 seconds left.

Hippeard completed a long 46-yard pass to Kendon Doe (Reidsville, NC/Reidsville) on the game’s final play but made it to only the Lambuth 19-yardline to end the game at 47-43.

Hippeard completed 23 of 38 passes for 335 yards and four scores with one interception on the day. Running back Ra’Shad Morgan (Chesterfield, VA/Meadowbrook) ran 29 times for 190 yards and two scores of 80 and 19 yards. Doe grabbed 10 balls for 140 yards while Evans had six receptions for 75 yards and two scores. Matt Barbour (Brookneal, VA/William Campbell) added three catches for 83 yards and a 65-yard score. On defense, Corey Wheeler (Manassas, VA/Stonewall Jackson) had 10 stops and a tackle for loss while Matt Gular (Hampton, VA/Kecoughtan) chipped in nine tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one sack.

Garza ran 15 times for 90 yards and two touchdowns while he passed for 171 yards and another three scores on 11 of 20 completions. Fullback Radford Raquedan carried the ball 20 times for 124 yards and one 18-yard touchdown. Harris caught three passes for 83 yards and the game-winning touchdown. Linebacker Jason Hoath amassed 13 tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery.

UVA-Wise outgained its opponent for the sixth time in six games, 539 to 458 yards.

The Cavs built an early 14-0 lead. Morgan ran the game’s first offensive play over the right end for 80 yards. After a Lambuth punt, Hippeard hit Barbour for 65 yards to make it 14-0. UVA-Wise added a third first frame score on a Hippeard four-yard pass to fullback Dustin Thompson. Lambuth outscored UVA-Wise 40-22 the final three quarters for the victory.

Lambuth will host Union College next Saturday at 1:30 p.m. while UVA-Wise travels to play Shorter College at the same start time.

-Go Cavs-