Photo Gallery: Lincoln at Pittsburg State
PITTSBURG, Kan. - Hosea Franklin rushed for 244 yards and the Blue Tiger defense forced four more turnovers, but the Lincoln football team fell to Pittsburg State, 56-14, on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 5).

The contest began under heavy rainfall, and was delayed for 75 minutes late in the first quarter due to lightning. The Blue Tigers held the Gorillas to just seven points before the delay, and entered the second quarter down by just the one touchdown.

Franklin, who broke LU's single-game rushing mark earlier this year with 251 yards against Washburn, came close to breaking his own mark on Saturday by averaging 8.4 yards on 29 carries. Franklin also had a 54-yard rushing touchdown with 12:39 to play until halftime to tie the score at seven, and led Lincoln with 251 all-purpose yards.

Pittsburg State (5-0, 5-0 MIAA) broke the tie on its next possession, and held Lincoln (0-5, 0-5 MIAA) off the scoreboard for the remainder of the first half to take a 28-7 lead into the break. Lincoln's other score came in the third quarter, when Desmond Hunter reached the end zone on a two-yard quarterback dive.

Vontavious Thacker led the LU defense with nine tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, and Chavon Gross contributed an interception and a forced fumble as well as eight takedowns, including six solo. Elliott Albert broke up two passes and recovered a fumble while matching Austin Harris with five tackles, and TeAndre Skinner notched six tackles on the afternoon.

Cody Alexander and Amaud Bates also recovered fumbles while Cecil Stallings and Thomas Burton each had tackles for loss. Collin Nichols forced a fumble, and Burton and Bri'on Sanders each recorded four tackles apiece.

The Blue Tigers will be back at home for the next two games, beginning next Saturday (Oct. 12) when Lincoln welcomes Nebraska Kearney to Dwight T. Reed Stadium for a 2:00 p.m. CDT contest.