The Longest Game in D2 History
- Division 1 Rejects
- Aug 26
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 1
Newberry College endures 8OT in win over Emory & Henry for our D2 Game of the Week
Fans in Newberry, South Carolina got their money’s worth on Saturday night as the Wolves of Newberry College took on the Wasps of Emory & Henry College, a game that became the longest in Division II football and the second longest in NCAA history. The match-up concluded with a 25-23 win in Newberry’s favor, but it was definitely a nail-biter to the end. These two teams have never ended a contest in regulation, they have always needed extra time to declare a victor. While that might be an overplay on words, in their first-ever matchup last season the game also needed overtime… just not at many. Last season’s double OT contest ended 26-23 with Newberry on top. With one less point and six more overtimes, it certainly seems like the Wolves and the Wasps have a rivalry in the making.
The first half was relatively quiet for both teams, with only one score coming from Emory & Henry by way of a 57-yard score from SR running back J’Quan Anderson (Charlottesville, Va.). 3rd and 1 on their own 40 the Wasp’s offensive line was able to create just enough room for Anderson to squeeze through. Anderson then broke two tackles and turned the on the jets as he was chased down by a Newberry defender. 7-0 in favor of the Wasps. Evenly matched throughout the rest of the half, the teams traded punts and turnovers. Nearing the end of the 2nd quarter the Wasp’s quarterback was intercepted by SR Kevon Gregory (Charleston, S.C.). The Wasps returned the favor on the next drive with an interception by SR T.J. Payne (Chattanooga, Tenn.) The teams head to halftime 7-0 Wasp’s lead.
After coming out of the locker room the teams began the half by trading the ball back and forth four times before another score was added to the board. Beginning the drive at their own 20, SOPH quarterback Brayden Phillips (Lancaster, S.C.) led a strong drive all the way down to the Wasp’s 5-yard line. Lined up in the backfield left of his QB, SOPH running back Trakell Murray (Walterboro, S.C.) was able to slip out right and underneath for a short score to tie up the game late in the 3rd quarter. All tied up at 7-7 the Wasps waste no time and score on the next drive. A few runs and a couple of short passes and the Wasps end up on their own 9-yard line when QB Charles Mutter III (King George, Va.) throws up a beautiful jump ball to SR wideout Tmahdae Penn (Martinsville, Va.) in the left side of their endzone to put the game back in their favor 14-7. After trading the ball back twice Newberry College was pinned deep in their own territory with 8 min left in regulation. With a short 9-yard gain to begin the drive, the Wolves look the air on the next play. Play action left Wolve’s QB Mutter III rolls right and throws a short pass to redshirt SOPH Keith Desaussure (North Charleston, S.C.). Desaussure who is lined up in the slot, runs a crafty out route and absolutely cooks his defenders as he is chased to the endzone. With one person to beat and a few trailing the speedster cuts back making the three defenders stumble and meet the turf as he cruises to the endzone and ties up the game 14-14. The game ultimately stays tied up to end regulation but what comes next is where the fun really began.
College football overtime rules call for each team to be given a chance to plead their case as the victors from the 25-yard line. Each team is given a chance to score a touchdown or kick a field goal. If the first team up first does not score, the preceding team has an opportunity to walk off with a field goal and win the game. It goes back and forth until someone scores. In the case of this game, neither team liked the way that sounded. After two overtimes and two made field goal opportunities, the teams battled their way into a different form of overtime, one that only happens after two unsuccessful ones. This overtime is featured on the 3-yard line and changes to a 2-point attempt, going back and forth until someone is named victorious. It took 6 more attempts before a team came out on top. Let’s take a look at the summary of this historic matchup.
3 OT - Newberry College on the 3-yard line. Wasp’s bring pressure, QB Phillips lobs a pass up to his tight end Cameron Gaymon who was lined up on the left side and was wide open as he faked blocked and released vertical. 19-17 Wolves. Wasps return the favor as QB Mutter III calls his own number, rolling right and running it in as his receivers are covered up. 19-19.
4 OT - Emory & Henry begin the drive on the 3-yard line. Mutter III hands the ball off to J’Quan Anderson whose rush attempt is unsuccessful. Newberry College takes over, a false start penalty pushes them back 5 yards. Phillips rolls right and his pass attempt to his receiver is almost picked off and was ultimately unsuccessful. It remained 19-19.
5 OT - Newberry College starts the drive. With an unsuccessful rush attempt as wildcat QB Jy Tolan does not reach the goal line. The Wasps return in the same favor with a similarly designed QB run by Mutter III, which is stuffed well short of the goal line. It remains 19-19.
6 OT - Emory & Henry begin the drive once again, but here is where the trickery begins. Mutter III hands the ball off to running back Cam Abshire who stretches the play out right behind the line of scrimmage and at the last second throws the ball to the open receiver, as his defender vacates him to come up and make the tackle. A well-executed play by the Wasps. The Wolves return in the same favor with more trickery. Shifting two players from right to left then calling the lone wideout in motion in the same direction. At this point, the Wasps are forced to adjust. The tight end on the right side sneakily slips out uncovered to keep the game alive. 21-21
7 OT - Newberry College begins the drive. They keep it nice and simple, shifting in the same way they had on the play previous, but they instead hand it off to Dwayne Wright as he heads in quite easily. Digging deep in the bag of tricks the Wasp’s fake a designed QB run with Mutter III. He lets it go at the last second to his tight end Zach Venhorst who was lined up on the left side, with a fake block and release his catch leads this game into the 8th and final overtime.
8 OT - With Emory & Henry beginning the drive, Mutter III is lined up in the shotgun with two receivers out right in a stacked position. The front receiver fades out right to make space for his teammate behind him. He runs a shifty zig route and comes up with the reception, but ultimately falls INCHES short of the goal line. The Wolves are finally in the position to take the lead and win. They call the Philly Special; Phillips hands the ball off left to his back who reverse pitches to the receiver coming his way as Phillips leaks off to the right to receive the pass from his teammate with nothing but endzone in front of him. Wolves win 25-23.
Me’Quon J Hudson
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