MOBILE—A close, exciting game fell one yard and a controversial call short of being a true classic Thursday at the 'Lip.'

For the record, Davidson took a 21-14 home win at Lipscomb Field over Daphne in the 2009 season opener.

The Trojan's final drive-from-behind drama ended near the Davidson one with Justin Jackson struggling to get out of bounds to stop the clock before being knocked out of bounds by a full-speed Warrior defender with 3.3 seconds left in regulation. But the official ruled Jackson was down — and the game was over.

"I don't think it ever comes down to one play," Daphne head coach Glenn Vickery said. "That play didn't cost us the game. We did what we could to find a way to win. But give credit to them. The clock ran out . Maybe if we had a little longer, maybe we would have had a chance. Obviously, we thought he was out of bounds (and) the ball was still in progress and he was fighting to get out."

The No. 9-ranked Trojans entered the No. 3-ranked Warrior's territory looking to avenge last year's 35-10 opening day loss at Daphne.

Davidson won the toss and scored on its first possession on a Terrance Timmons off-tackle break from 40 yards out three minutes in. Daphne answered quickly though as Russ Mosley lobbed a deep one to a wide-open Israel Lamprakes on a 60-yard touchdown on their second play from scrimmage.

The Warriors took the lead again just before the second quarter when Jarrell Smith found Rashad Cunningham behind the Trojans defense for a 78-yard TD strike.

Daphne tied it up with 5:30 left in the first half when Mosley, under pressure, laced a third-and-ten pass through to Jackson across the middle for an 18-yard score. The second scoring drive was kept alive by a key fourth-and-one first-down plunge over the right side of the line by T.J. Yeldon to the Warrior 18.

Josh Rhoads and Brandon Roberts each nailed an extra point with Sam Gresham holding. On defense, Tyler Powell and Peter Lesch each recovered fumbles for the Trojans.

"The defense played their hearts out," Vickery said. "But the first game is all about getting things corrected. I'm really proud of the effort our kids made. They played as hard as they could, but just came up a little short. Davidson's a good team, but we're a good team. I'm proud of the offense, proud of the defense and now we'll get ready and work to improve. That's what practice is all about. I think the character really showed through and we know that's coming. I'm glad for the experience that we gained, we just didn't find a way to win it at the end, so congratulations to Davidson. "

Davidson head coach Fred Riley said the Daphne game plan was outstanding. "I thought they outplayed us and out coached us tonight," he said.

Daphne travels to face Pace, Fla. Sept. 4, while Davidson hosts Blount.