JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Alex Templeton broke two Lincoln records and the Lincoln defense did not allow a third-down conversion as the Blue Tigers earned a 12-9 win over Lane on Saturday (Oct. 1).

Templeton kicked four field goals, a new LU single-game record, and made the game-winning 54-yard kick with two seconds remaining. That kick broke the program record of 50 yards, set by John Moore back in 1984. The four field goals broke the previous single-game record of three, set by Gerardo Cornejo.

The defense also had an outstanding afternoon, holding the Dragons to 0-for-13 on third down conversions. Anthony Townsend blocked a punt, Antwon Hoard forced and recovered a fumble, Julius Jackson and Noah Johnson each recorded sacks and Marvin Holley broke up two passes. The defense limited Lane's passing attack to just seven completions for 42 yards.

A 21-yard rush by quarterback Dennis Vinson led to Templeton's first field goal, a 47-yard kick that gave the Blue Tigers a 3-0 lead midway through the first quarter. The defense kept Lane off the board through the first 15 minutes, marking the fourth time in five games this season that Lincoln (1-4) has shut out an opponent in the first quarter.

A 61-yard completion by Vinson to Deonte Latimer set up Templeton's second kick, with the 24-yarder giving LU a 6-0 advantage. The Dragons got on the board about halfway through the period, however, as a 68-yard quarterback keeper gave Lane (3-2) a 7-0 lead. That ended up being the score at halftime.

The only points of the third quarter came on a safety, as Lane made a tackle in the end zone after pinning the Blue Tigers on their own one-yard-line on a 53-yard punt. That also ended up being the final time Lane scored, as its only other opportunity, a 45-yard field goal attempt, fell short of the goal posts.

On the ensuing drive, Will Randolph ran 32 yards to get into Lane territory, and later caught a 21-yard pass by Vinson to get the ball down to the 22. Four plays later, Templeton connected from 38 yards out to tie the game at nine with 3:22 remaining. Randolph finished with 83 all-purpose yards while Vinson completed 12 passes for 178 yards.

Lane picked up a first down on its ensuing possession, but sacks by Jackson and Johnson forced the Dragons to punt. Vinson completed passes of seven yards to Latimer, six yards to Justin Kelly and six yards to Bryson Winfrey before finally clocking the ball with eight seconds remaining at the Lane 37. That set up Templeton's record-breaking kick, which gave Lincoln the three-point victory.

Hoard led the defense with 10 tackles, including six solo, while Johnson added seven and tied Aaron Brown with two tackles for loss. In total, Lincoln posted 12 tackles for loss, costing the Dragons 33 yards. Addison Tucker, Amani Nelson and Jackson each made six takedowns while Brown, Holley and Jeff Jones were each credited with five. Jones also had a hurry while Lawrence Hogue broke up a pass.

Templeton averaged 58.7 yards on kickoffs with one touchback and 37.2 yards on punts with two landing inside the Lane 20. Latimer caught three passes for a team-high 73 yards while Townsend was next with 57 yards on three receptions.

The Blue Tigers remain at home next Saturday (Oct. 8), as Lincoln hosts Saint Joseph's in its annual Homecoming game. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. CDT.