Carrollton, GA - The West Georgia Wolves lost a heartbreaker at University Stadium on Saturday afternoon, as a six-yard touchdown with nine seconds in the game lifted the Shorter Hawks to a 24-20 victory over the Wolves, putting a damper on Senior Day at University Stadium.

The story of the game seemed to be a back-and-forth battle between two young quarterbacks who duked it out on Saturday afternoon at University Stadium. UWG freshman #Dallas Dickey# and Shorter sophomore Eric Dodson each had three rushing scores in the contest, but it was Dodson who got the last laugh with the six-yard scamper in the waning seconds.

West Georgia opened the contest with a masterful march, led by Dickey and a powerful effort from the UWG offensive front. The Wolves took 18 plays to go 72 yards on the drive, finishing off with a 1-yard plunge on fourth down from Dickey to take a 7-0 lead. West Georgia held the ball on that drive for more than 10 minutes.

The Hawks looked as if they were going to respond quickly, as fullback Bradley Moon rumbled 55 yards on the second play of the ensuing drive. But the UWG defense stiffened inside the 10, and Dodson missed on a fourth down pass from the eight, giving the ball back to West Georgia.

After a three-and-out from West Georgia, Shorter again marched down the field. This time, the Hawks found paydirt, tying the game at 7-7 on a 16-yard run from Dodson.

The Wolves drove back down to the Shorter 30, but the drive stalled there and #Seth Hinsley# was stopped at the line of scrimmage for no gain on fourth down, giving the ball back to the Hawks. Shorter wasted little time, going 70 yards in six plays, with Dodson again finishing off the drive, this time with a five-yard run.

Dickey responded in kind, driving the Wolves back down the field, going 83 yards in four plays. The big hit came on a 53-yard completion to #Kramer Hendricks# that put UWG in scoring position. Dickey took the ball around the left end on the very next play, taking a dive at the pylon for a 14-yard score. The extra point was no good and the two teams went into the locker room at the break with Shorter leading 14-13.

The two teams exchanged punts for much of the third quarter, until West Georgia took over at their own 38 with 2:36 remaining in the period. Powered by a 30-yard run up the middle from Hinsley, the Wolves drove and had 3rd-and-Goal from the Shorter 8. Dickey lofted the ball into the endzone, but a Shorter defender jumped into the path and intercepted, spoiling the UWG chance to take the lead.

The UWG defense stiffened again, but the punt return was muffed and Shorter hopped on it at the UWG 7. The defense sacked Dodson on second down and forced a field goal on third down, giving the Hawks a 17-13 advantage.

Dickey and the offense took over and mounted another impressive drive. This march lasted 6:21 and took 12 plays to go 62 yards. Dickey took the ball in from six yards out with 1:48 left on the clock. The extra point from #Davis Brackett# was good, giving the Wolves a 20-17 lead.

Dodson and the Hawks mounted their own drive, culminated in the quarterback's six-yard run with nine seconds remaining to give Shorter the victory.

Hinsley led the rushing attack on the afternoon, with 17 carries for 87 yards. Dickey had 12 carries for 58 yards and three scores while #David Bailey# had 12 carries for 39 yards. Dickey was 11-of-18 for 185 yards on the day through the air.

The Wolves conclude the 2012 season next weekend in Texas, facing Midwestern State in the 1st and 10 Challenge between the Gulf South and Lone Star Conferences.