The game story
How it happened.
In one of the most physical games ever played at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon held off NFL Academy Europe-Africa 21–16. Savior Owens scored all three Tiger touchdowns and the defense did just enough against a much-improved Academy side that averaged 300 pounds across both lines.
A deafening welcome
The Tigers took the opening kickoff 71 yards in 15 plays, Owens bulling in from two yards out after two fourth-down conversions. The UK-based visitors answered with a Nathan Morris touchdown run and a Paul Krause field goal for a 10–7 lead, before Owens' 26-yard score sent Massillon to halftime up 14–10.
Owens wears them down
Late in the third quarter Owens broke a 24-yard touchdown run — his third of the night — at the end of an 80-yard, 12-play drive as Massillon's conditioning began to tell. A 51-yard field goal try in the fourth fell just short, keeping the Academy alive.
One last gasp
Playing prevent defense in the final two minutes, the Tigers allowed a 72-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard touchdown pass on the last play of the game — too late to matter. Massillon led in first downs 18–14 and total yards 341–220, with Owens rushing 19 times for 115 yards.
Recap adapted from Don Engelhardt's report for the Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club. Statistics and scoring details follow the official game PDF where the article differs.