OREM — In a game featuring two ground-chewing offenses and plenty of momentum shifts, the visiting Murray Spartans edged the Orem Tigers 12-10 Friday.
Murray (1-1) churned up 290 yards offense on the ground on 52 carries — including 22 team rushes for 167 yards in the second quarter.
However, Murray's two TD scores came in spectacular fashion as on the opening kick-off Kaderius Allums scampered 99 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers seemed to have Allums pinned in but he broke through and used a nice wall set up on the right sideline to go the rest of the way. The fake extra point was unsuccessful, and Murray took a 6-0 lead just 16 seconds into the contest.
Murray's other score came via a reverse half-back pass that went 27 yards with just 2:22 left in the half. Matt Wright took a handoff from quarterback Mitch Meier who then quickly gave it to Josh Fitisemanu who launched a left-handed strike to James Hill. Murray's second try for a two-point conversion failed again.
Sandwiched between these two Spartan scores was a 52-yard dash to paydirt by Orem's Jake Balser. Nate Killpack converted the extra point and the Tigers held a 7-6 lead.
Both offenses showed the ability to move the ball but could not convert scores. Orem missed a 45-yard field goal late in the third stanza which could have cut Murray's lead to two points but Killpack later converted a 20-yard try with 6:48 left in the game to trim Murray's lead to 12-10.
Orem squandered a great chance to score a touchdown driving to just inside the Spartan two-yard line. Murray's defense came up with a big sack and pushed Orem back to their 6-yard line. The Tigers got one last chance to score taking over with 3:09 left on their own 22-yard line.
Orem marched to midfield but three straight incomplete passes left Orem with one last chance to get a critical first down to keep their drive alive with under a minute left in the game.
However, Murray's Zack Brackus swallowed up Orem quarterback Jon Killpack after what appeared to be a botched shotgun snap and Murray ran out the last 45 seconds.
For the Tigers it was the second straight week of disappointment in front of the home faithful. The Tigers fell in overtime last week to Viewmont 20-17.
Next week Orem will travel to take on rival Timpanogos in another non-league contest while Murray will visit Taylorsville for their third in a series of five straight games on the road.