JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Hosea Franklin rushed for 205 yards and a score and Chancellor Johnson had both rushing and passing touchdowns as the Lincoln football team defeated Northeastern State, 27-9, in LU's annual Homecoming game on Saturday (Oct. 19).

Lincoln had 310 rushing yards as a team, but it was the LU defense that opened the scoring, with Cody Alexander returning an interception 81 yards for a touchdown to put the Blue Tigers ahead, 6-0, early in the second quarter. The first half was a defensive tussle, with Northeastern State not getting on the scoreboard until late in the second period.

The RiverHawks took advantage of a seven-yard touchdown run to take a 7-6 lead into halftime, but the last 30 minutes belonged to the Blue Tigers. Lincoln (1-6, 1-6 MIAA) scored on each of its first two possessions of the half, with Franklin setting up the first touchdown with a 52-yard run down to the five. On fourth down, Franklin caught a two-yard pass from Johnson to give LU back the lead, 13-7.

The Lincoln defense forced a quick three-and-out, and the Blue Tigers took over inside Northeastern State (0-7, 0-7 MIAA) territory. Rashaad Harris and Franklin had runs of 12 and 22 yards, respectively, and a five yard completion to Franklin set up the Blue Tigers inside the five. Franklin scored for the second time in the quarter on a two-yard scamper, again on fourth down. Lincoln went 3-for-4 on fourth down conversions while the RiverHawks were 0-for-3.

A safety allowed Northeastern State to pull within 20-9 by the end of the third quarter, but Lincoln held the RiverHawks to just three first downs 32 total yards over the final 15 minutes to secure its first win of the season. Franklin had 87 yards on the ground in the fourth quarter alone, including 47 on LU's final scoring drive of the day. Johnson snuck the ball in from the one-yard line to give Lincoln the 27-9 advantage with 3:50 to play.

Franklin averaged 8.5 yards per carry and Johnson rushed for 76 yards while Tori Hicks was next with 23. Johnson additionally finished with 19 passing yards, threw zero interceptions and was not sacked during the contest. As a team, LU averaged 6.6 yards per carry.

JaJuan Chambers had two of LU's four sacks and posted seven tackles, including three for loss. Alexander had a hurry and three tackles to go with his pick-six, and Chavon Gross led the defense with nine takedowns, seven of which were unassisted. Vontavious Thacker was next with eight tackles, including 1.5 for loss.

Michael Smith also had three tackles for loss and registered a forced fumble and a sack, while Amaud Bates had a sack and a hurry. TeAndre Skinner recorded 2.5 tackles for loss and finished five total takedowns, and Austin Harris broke up a pass while tallying four tackles. Bri'on Sanders and Brennen DeMarco finished with five tackles apiece.

Reagan Harrell averaged 40.2 yards on kickoffs and 38.6 yards punting, with a longest punt of 49 yards to pin the RiverHawks inside the 20. Javier Moreno made all three of his point-after attempts.

Lincoln will now turn its attention to Northwest Missouri, the No. 6 team in the most recent American Football Coaches Association Division II poll. The Blue Tigers will play the Bearcats in Maryville, Mo. next Saturday (Oct. 26) at 2:00 p.m. CT.