Trick play ends MoHawk Bowl in final seconds

University quarterback Brody Kehler threw a halfback option pass to Hayden George with five seconds remaining to seal a 20-13 victory over Morgantown in the MoHawk Bowl. The play, which gave the Hawks the series lead for the first time since 2022, was executed from the Morgantown 40-yard line on fourth down with a running clock.

Head coach Eric Snyder admitted the trick play did not work well in practice. He noted that he initially asked offensive coordinator Dustin Lawless to scrap the play, but Lawless insisted on using it. Snyder credited Lawless for installing the scheme just days before the game and for his confidence in the athletes to execute it under pressure.

The scoring began in the first half when Morgantown built a 10-0 lead. Aidan Petsko kicked a 29-yard field goal for the only points in the opening quarter, followed by a 3-yard touchdown run by Maddox Twigg. University responded late in the first half when Harrison Helbig threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jaedyn Katchur with 40 seconds left, cutting the deficit to 10-6 at halftime.

Morgantown regained the lead in the third quarter when Petsko converted a 30-yard field goal. The Hawks tied the game at 13 with eight minutes left in the fourth quarter on a 1-yard rushing score by Helbig. A defensive stop by UHS, involving a fumble recovered by Michael McKenzie at the 3-yard line, set the stage for the final drive.

University enters an off week to prepare for the playoffs, while Morgantown travels to Musselman for Week 11. Snyder said the team needs to tighten up fundamentals before the postseason begins. He emphasized that the players had to perform with intensity to overcome the earlier deficit and secure the final points.

The win marks University's sixth straight unbeaten regular season. Snyder highlighted the execution by the offensive line and the receivers in selling the fake to allow for the decisive pass. He stated that the team must ensure their key pieces are ready for the first round of the playoffs.

Morgantown finished the game 7-2. The Hawks' final score of 20 points came from the late touchdown and the earlier rushing score. Snyder indicated that the coaching staff will review the performance to address any issues before the next scheduled contest.