EDMOND, Okla. - The Lincoln football team scored its most points yet of 2023, but the Blue Tigers fell to Central Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 14). LU racked up over 300 yards of total offense and held onto the ball for 33:15, but the Bronchos ended up with the 59-17 victory.

Xzavier Vaughn completed 19 passes for 227 yards and a pair of scores and gained 14 more yards on the ground. Omar Allen had a team-high 35 rushing yards and Blayden Brown gained 24 yards on his only carry of the afternoon. Mo Alwaely averaged 45.8 yards on kickoffs and made a 23-yard field goal that put Lincoln on the scoreboard late in the first quarter.

Lincoln (0-7) scored on its first drive of the second half, as Vaughn connected with Dawan Lomax for a 10-yard touchdown one play after completing an 18-yard pass to Damon Bell. The Blue Tigers advanced to the Central Oklahoma (3-4) 28-yard line on a 49-yard reception by Nathan Valencia, who had a team-high 86 receiving yards on five grabs.

Late in the fourth quarter, a punt by Clayton Winkler landed on the UCO 13. Sandwiched in between two incompletions by the Bronchos was a five-yard loss, and the Blue Tigers ended up getting the ball back at the UCO 46. Bell hauled in a 36-yard pass on Lincoln's next offensive play, and Jermarri Watson capped off the drive on a five-yard touchdown catch.

Winkler averaged 37.4 yards punting and Aderias Ealy had 19 return yards to go with the 43 yards he gained on six receptions. Bell had 68 receiving yards on the afternoon and Watson finished with 20. 

Michael Harrison broke up a pass and tied TJ Jasper with a team-leading seven tackles. Jordan Batts had two pass break-ups to go with six tackles and Elijah Juarez and Woodens PierreLouis each finished with five takedowns. Bryant Coley, Vez Carter and Ishaq Robinson each broke up passes while Jordan Garth was credited with a hurry.

Lincoln is back at home for its next two games, starting on Saturday (Oct. 21) with a 2:00 p.m. CDT contest against Missouri Southern.