LANGSTON, Okla. - The Lincoln football team scored on offense and special teams, but it was Langston that ended up on the winning end of the Battle of the LUs on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 2). The Lions beat the Blue Tigers, 30-14, in the season opener for both teams.

Langston (1-0) took advantage of good field position in the first half, scoring on a 15-yard pass and a 2-yard run before taking a 20-0 halftime lead on a 41-yard fumble return. Despite the difference in the score, the Lincoln (0-1) defense played well, holding the Lions to just 12 completions for the contest and a 2.6 average per carry.

The Lions scored on their first drive of the second half, but the Blue Tiger punt return unit made one of the biggest plays of the day on Langston's ensuing possession. A sack by Willard Cotton forced Langston to punt near its end zone, and Isaiah Gray blocked the kick. The ball proceeded to roll into the end zone, where Victor Williams fell on it for Lincoln's first touchdown of the 2017 season.

A 19-yard field goal put the Lions up by a 30-7 count at the end of the third quarter, but some big plays in the passing game put the Blue Tigers back on the scoreboard. Anthony Townsend started the drive by catching two passes for 43 yards, and Henry Ogala, who had a key 12-yard scamper to get LU down to the Langston 6, found Miles Drummond for his first career touchdown pass.

The momentum seemed to be on Lincoln's side after that, as the defense forced a three-and-out to quickly return the ball to the offense. 11-yard completions to Townsend and A'Jani Johnson moved the ball to mid-field, and Kimbo Ferguson later put the Blue Tigers at the opposing 39 with a four-yard run. A fumble at the Langston 6 ended the possession, however, and the Lions went on a long drive to all but end the game.

Ogala completed 12 passes for 188 yards and the score while Townsend finished with a team-high 65 receiving yards. Blake Tibbs caught three passes for 44 yards and also added 67 yards on kick returns. Ferguson led Lincoln with 28 rushing yards while Harold Lacy was next with 13.

Willard Cotton had an outstanding day defensively, finishing with 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a pass break-up and four quarterback hurries. Addision Tucker also made 11 tackles while Gray and Aaron Brown were next with seven apiece. Taj Moore and Edwin Durassaint each finished with five tackles.

The Blue Tigers return home for the Battle of the Lincolns next Saturday (Sept. 9) as Lincoln (MO) opens its home slate with a 6:00 p.m. CDT showdown against Lincoln (PA). Saturday will be Take a Kid to the Game Day, as all kids receive free admission.