UWF Football: Argos complete comeback with walk-off field goal to beat North Greenville
PENSACOLA — For the second consecutive week, the No. 10-ranked Argos found themselves trailing a Gulf South Conference opponent to start a fourth quarter.
North Greenville came to Pensacola looking for an upset, much like it did on its last trip here in 2019, when the team lost by only three points. However, despite the hole it dug itself, West Florida denied the visitors' plans.
After overcoming a 13-point deficit, the Argos ran down the clock on their final possession to setup Griffin Cerra for a game-winning field goal with 2.4 seconds left. The snap was initially bobbled, but holder Steve Dawson corralled it, allowing Cerra to nail a 36-yard attempt as time expired. The redshirt junior was carried off the field by his teammates as they celebrated a 34-31 victory from Pen Air Field.
"It was definitely exciting. When you chose to be in this position, it's what you hope for," Cerra said. "I have been playing for eight years and never been in this position before. So, to finally have it happen was definitely exciting and see the guys put their bodies on the line to battle back being 13 down. I just knew I had to do my part."
Cerra's last-second field goal followed a critical takeaway. Anthony Johnson Jr. pulled down a third-down interception to give UWF the ball on the opponents' 26-yard line with 2:19 left.
Week 2 win: Argos showed up big in the Show-Me State, dominate Southwest Baptist
Week 1 clobbering: Argos deliver the perfect housewarming gift by waxing Warner in season opener
UWF History: D'Anthony Bell becomes first UWF player to make 53-man roster
The Crusaders held the Argos' offense in check for most of the first half while their own offense clicked on all cylinders. North Greenville freshman quarterback Dylan Ramirez went 14 of 27 for 131 yards passing with a touchdown in the first half.
Conversely, UWF junior quarterback PeeWee Jarrett wasn't in sync with his receivers. Jarrett went 5-for-17 passing for 50 yards in the first half. The Argos missed on six deep balls where Jarrett either underthrew or overthrew the intended receiver, or the receiver dropped the pass.
West Florida started the day with punts on its first two offensive possessions. Driving the ball down the field during its third series, the home team saw an eight-play, 80-yard drive come crashing down when Jarrett fumbled at the goal line.
"I've been here since May, and even on my visit, I was welcomed with open arms. I feel like the coaches and players have trust in me to do my job and I know everyone around me is going to do their job," Jarrett said. "A lot of those throws we missed were within inches; minor things that we can fix and find a rhythm. Once we are in rhythm, I feel like we are the best offense in the country."
In a repeat of last week's double-overtime loss against Delta State, the Argos' talented backfield trio of juniors Shomari Mason, Ra'Veion Hargrove and C.J. Wilson kickstarted the Argos offense. Wilson capped a seven-play, 75-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.
The teams were tied 10-10 at halftime. Fifteen minutes later, UWF trailed 23-10.
"I was sitting there when they scored and we were down 13. I told them we been there before unfortunately last week, so they didn't have to recall too much on that," UWF head coach Pete Shinnick said. "Told the guys we have to find a way."
As much as he struggled early, Jarrett helped rally the team back. He hit on 8 of 10 passes for 122 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The quarterback found senior wide receiver David Durden for a 56-yard score to trim the gap to 23-17. Then on their next possession, the hosts took their first lead thanks to a tremendous second effort from Wilson.
On a run from the North Greenville 18, the running back was initially stopped at the 9 before receiving a push into the end zone from his offensive linemen. Wilson's second rushing touchdown of the night made a 24-23 game with 10 minutes left.
After the Crusaders regained the lead on a Ramirez scoring pass to sophomore tight end A.J. Tolbert, UWF answered to tie the game at 31-31. Jarrett delivered an 18-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore Jakobe Quillen with 2:58 remaining.
Following Cerra's game winner, the Argos improved their record to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play. North Greenville dropped to 2-3 overall after losing its GSC opener.
Argos are resilient
For back-to-back games, West Florida team has clawed back after falling behind by two in the fourth quarter. During last week's loss to the Statesmen, UWF was down 35-21 before scoring twice to force overtime.
When things are seemingly falling apart for this group, the Argos find a way to give themselves a chance. They came up short to Delta State, but got the job done this time around.
"It says a lot about a team that lost in overtime a week ago, got down, but continues to fight, continue to believe, continue to find ways to get after it," Shinnick said. "(That fight) put us in the position we are in right now at 3-1."
The run game stays effective
Jarrett found a way to battle back in the fourth quarter, but the passing game has had a lot of struggles over the last two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Argos running attack has been dominant all season. Mason had 11 carries for 153 yards rushing. Ra'veion Hargrove added 10 carries for 99 yards rushing. Wilson didn't have a lot of touches or yards (three carries, 29 yards) but his two scores were just what the team needed. Wilson has established himself as the short-yardage back for this team and thrived in that role against North Greenville.
Turnovers and defense
After coughing the ball up twice deep in enemy territory last week, the Argos' offense had another red-zone turnover with the Jarrett fumble on the goal line. The quarterback finished 15-for-31 passing for 186 yards, two touchdowns and a third-quarter interception.
Even with Jarrett's two errors, West Florida did much a better job holding onto the ball, trimming its turnovers from four against Delta State to two against North Greenville.
The defense had a rough day as it couldn't contain the Crusaders through the air. North Greenville. Ramirez had his best game so far in his young career, finishing 23 of 41 passing for 295 yards and three touchdowns.
The Argos did force a pair of errant throws, leading to interceptions, but other than that, they had a hard time getting off the field. The visitors had 487 total yards of offense.
"North Greenville had a tremendous game plan and they did a tremendous job," Shinnick said. "They created problems for us, but in the end, it was our two turnovers that made a difference."
UWF turns its focus its first GSC road game. West Florida plays at 5 p.m. Saturday at No. 6 West Georgia.
Greg Hollis is a sports reporter for the Pensacola News Journal. He can be reached at ghollis@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: UWF Football: Cerra's late field goal lifts Argos past North Greenville
