GULF SOUTH Benton’s late gamble, block give OBU overtime victory

— Dijon Benton’s actions strayed from coach’s instruction during overtime Saturday against North Alabama.

Good thing the sophomore defensive back got his left hand high enough in the air to alter the direction of Josh Montgomery’s extra point, or he probably would have had to spend some time explaining his ad-lib on the sideline.

Instead, nobody minded that Butler inched from the edge, let his coverage assignment go and burst through the Lions’ line to block an extra point, which made Eli Cranor’s fade pass to Brett Reece and Jason Fowler’s extra point the game winners in a 24-23 homecoming victory over the No. 10 Lions.

“I felt like it was time to make a play,” Benton said. “I just shot the gap, put my hand up and got it.”

Benton said he would have gotten “chewed out” had his gamble not paid off. But nobody had any harsh words after Fowler’s extra point sailed through the goal posts in the south end zone at A.U.

Williams Field.

Players and coaches celebrated and mingled with students, alumni and fans as the Tigers (5-2, 3-2 Gulf South) celebrated the upset victory and their still-alive postseason hopes.

OBU was able to do that thanks to an offensive showing that, though a bit underwhelming considering its Gulf South-leading standards, put up more total yards (327) and points than any team against North Alabama (6-2, 3-2).

The Lions entered having averaged less than 6 points allowed per game, and not oncehad they given up more than 10 points in a game.

It took OBU awhile, but it eventually started pecking away at a Lions starting defense that includes five Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly Division I) transfers.

Trailing 10-3 in the third quarter, Cranor and the Tigers, whose 37.2 points per game prior to Saturday were tops in the Gulf South, faced a first-and-10 from the North Alabama 35.

Cranor faked a hand-off, rolled to his right, then turned and fired across the field to a wide open Reece, who cut inside, then toward the visitor’s sideline before diving for the corner of the end zone to tie the game at 10-10.

Cranor said they didn’t enter the game wanting to drastically shake up what has made them so successful all year, but a few new wrinkles, such as the scoring play that hadn’t been used, were definitely needed.

“There really isn’t a weakness on their defense,” Cranor said. “So we tried to do some things out of our tendencies.”

What has also not been included in the Tigers’ attack is the use of Cranor’s legs. The senior rushed 13 times for 81 yards, most on designed draws, with 1 touchdown. He also completed 17 of 34 passes for 190 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Sports, Pages 31 on 10/24/2010

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