Douglas (NV) vs. Wake Forest (NC)

‘TITANS HOLD OFF TIGERS IN ROUND ONE'

Ball control was the name of the game as the Douglas Tigers took on the Wake Forest Titans in both teams' first game of the 2005 Super Bowl. After winning the opening toss, Douglas elected to receive first and began the game on their forty yard line. After taking possession, the Tigers began a methodical drive down the field converting on two forth down plays. The drive was further aided by a pass interference penalty called on the Titans as the Tigers attempted to convert on third and seventeen. Holding the ball for over nine minutes in the first quarter, the Tigers were finally held and turned the ball over on downs at the Titans twenty-one yard line. According the Titans head coach, Andy Garrity, this was the turning point in the game.

It was then the Titans turn and they took advantage holding the ball until the 4:59 mark in the second quarter. As they drove down the field, they capitalized on excellent line play with ripping off runs of eight, twelve and nine yards. The Tigers defense would stiffen; however, and force the Titans to turn over the ball on downs.

With time beginning to dwindle in the first half, and with the Tigers in possession, it appeared as if the game would enter the half knotted at zero. That would not be the case; however, as the Titans held the Tigers; and forced a punt.

After a beautiful thirty-five yard punt by the Tigers, the Titans took possession at their own thirty-five. At this point, the Titans gained momentum. They quickly ripped off a twenty-five yard scamper, followed by a ten yard run off right tackle. At the 2:16 mark the Titans coaching staff called a timeout and began plotting their final moves before the half. This decision proved critical, as it set up what would be the go ahead touchdown – a nice run which started up the middle and then bounced outside and before breaking free and crossing the goal line with 1:10 remaining in the half. The Titans followed-up on the touchdown with a successful touch pass to the right side, leaving just over a minute with which the Tigers could work.

The Tigers decided to let the half end; however and were content to head to the half down seven nothing.

The Titans took advantage of staring the third quarter with the ball and immediately marched down the field. Positioned at the Tigers twenty-five yard line with 7:59 left in the third the Titans dropped back to pass and connected on a fifteen yard strike which was carried into the end zone. After converting the extra point on a run off the left side, the Titans took a commanding fourteen nothing lead.

After taking possession on the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers went to work and showed considerable grit, not leading the deficit get them down. With 4:31 left in the third, and the ball on the Titans twenty yard line and Tigers faced a daunting fourth and three. It was not without a magnificent second effort that the Tigers were able to convert.

The forth quarter started with third and goal from the Titans two yard line. The Tigers advanced the ball to the one and faced a critical forth and goal. Showing great determination, the Titans defensive line held tough and stopped the Tigers. This was a tremendous shift in momentum, one the Tigers were never able to reverse.

After taking over on their one yard line, the Titans drove down field and before ultimately turning the ball back over to the Tigers on their twenty. By this point, there was simply not enough time left and the game ended fourteen to nothing.