Benton Erases 28-Point Deficit, Wins Salt Bowl on Final Conversion
Benton 43, Bryant 42
BRYANT — Benton erased a 28-point deficit with four fourth-quarter touchdowns and defeated Bryant 43-42 Friday when quarterback Chase Cobb caught Jake Cloud’s two-point pass after time expired.
Benton scored 58 seconds into the game. Carson Conyers deflected Kyler Shelby’s pass, and linebacker Weston Monson returned the interception for a touchdown. Bryant answered with 21 straight points. Shelby threw a 33-yard touchdown to Chase Slater, then scored on runs of 4 and 5 yards for a 21-7 first-quarter lead.
Cobb completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to Cooper Priest after Benton converted three third downs and two fourth downs during a 16-play drive. Kaleb Leak’s 1-yard run sent Bryant to halftime ahead 28-14.
The Hornets widened the margin in the third quarter. Leak scored from 23 yards after a high punt snap gave Bryant possession at the Benton 30. Anthony Ellis then intercepted Cobb and returned the ball to Benton’s 12, setting up Leak’s 7-yard touchdown and a 42-14 lead.
Benton’s comeback began after Amarious Leaks intercepted Shelby. Cobb found Brenden Murdock for a 64-yard touchdown, and Gabe Wilbur’s onside kick was recovered by CJ Sellers. Cobb then hit Murdock from 12 yards. After Benton forced a punt, Murdock scored again on a 22-yard throwback screen, cutting the deficit to 42-35.
Austin Hill forced a Shelby fumble with 4:55 remaining, and Jude Turner recovered at Benton’s 41. Cobb moved the Panthers 59 yards, then found Austin-Phillip “AP” Lewis for a 7-yard touchdown on fourth-and-goal as time expired. On the untimed conversion, Cloud took the snap and passed to Cobb for the winning points.
Cobb finished 23 of 40 for 279 yards and five touchdowns. Murdock totaled 186 yards from scrimmage and three scores.
Benton outscored Bryant 29-0 in the fourth quarter and scored on each of its final four offensive possessions.
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Benton – Weston Monson interception return after Carson Conyers deflected Kyler Shelby’s pass (Gabe Wilbur kick), Benton 7-0.
Bryant – Chase Slater 33-yard touchdown reception from Shelby (Bryant Henderson kick), 7-7.
Bryant – Shelby 4-yard touchdown run (J.D. Olson kick), Bryant 14-7.
Bryant – Shelby 5-yard touchdown run (kick good), Bryant 21-7.
2nd Quarter
Benton – Cooper Priest 1-yard touchdown reception from Chase Cobb (Wilbur kick), Bryant 21-14.
Bryant – Kaleb Leak 1-yard touchdown run (Olson kick), Bryant 28-14.
3rd Quarter
Bryant – Leak 23-yard touchdown run (kick good), Bryant 35-14.
Bryant – Leak 7-yard touchdown run following Anthony Ellis’ interception (kick good), Bryant 42-14.
4th Quarter
Benton – Brenden Murdock 64-yard touchdown reception from Cobb (Wilbur kick), Bryant 42-21.
Benton – Murdock 12-yard touchdown reception from Cobb (Wilbur kick), Bryant 42-28.
Benton – Murdock 22-yard touchdown reception from Cobb on a throwback screen (Wilbur kick), Bryant 42-35.
Benton – Austin-Phillip “AP” Lewis 7-yard touchdown reception from Cobb as time expired, Bryant 42-41.
Benton – Cobb 3-yard two-point reception from Jake Cloud on the untimed conversion, Benton 43-42.
Players of the Game
Chase Cobb, Benton senior quarterback — Completed 23 of 40 passes for 279 yards and five touchdowns. His touchdown passes covered 1, 64, 12, 22 and 7 yards. Cobb caught Cloud’s 3-yard pass for the winning two-point conversion.
Brenden Murdock, Benton senior running back — Rushed 18 times for 83 yards and caught seven passes for 103 yards. He scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns on receptions of 64, 12 and 22 yards.
Weston Monson, Benton senior linebacker — Recorded seven tackles and returned a deflected pass for Benton’s opening touchdown 58 seconds into the game.
Kyler Shelby, Bryant senior quarterback — Was 7-of-8 passing for 172 yards and one touchdown at halftime. He threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Slater and scored on first-quarter runs of 4 and 5 yards.
Kaleb Leak, Bryant junior running back — Scored three rushing touchdowns covering 1, 23 and 7 yards. His two third-quarter scores expanded Bryant’s lead from 28-14 to 42-14.