FULTON — The Itawamba Community College Indians exploded for 22 unanswered points in the third quarter Thursday night for a 22-10 victory against Southwest Mississippi C.C.
The victory helped ICC start the season 2-0 for the first time since 2007.
The Bears (0-1) took a 3-0 lead on a Paul Johnson 29-yard field goal late in the first quarter.
The Indians took a 7-3 lead on a 1-yard run by Courtney Gladney and Tyler Jackson extra point. A fumble recovery in the end zone by offensive lineman Tony Holmes put ICC ahead 14-3 with 5 minutes, 8 seconds left in the third quarter.
Texas Christian University transfer Deryck Gildon scooped up a fumble and rumbled 60 yards to give the Indians a 22-3 lead. A bad snapped forced holder Rashad Pargo to scramble left to find a leaping Terrell Pinson in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion.
The Indians defense didn’t allow the Bears to cross midfield in the second half, but a tipped pass was picked off inside the 10-yard line to set up a 4-yard touchdown pass from Turner Eastbrook to Jerome Stewart early in the fourth quarter.
Freshman QB Andrew Goodman completed 33 passes to eight players for 274 yards. Sophomore wide receiver Demarius Howard was the 2012 Bennie Abram LEGACY award recipient presented before the game.
ICC will travel to Mississippi Delta Community College on Thursday to open North Division play.
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