JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln football team rushed for 237 yards, but the Blue Tigers fell to Lane, 41-28, in a battle between two HBCUs on Saturday afternoon (Nov. 9).

Kellen Porter gained 69 yards on the ground, including four a touchdown scamper that gave Lincoln (1-9) a 7-0 lead on the first drive of the ballgame. Lane (4-6) tied the game later in the quarter, but the Blue Tigers struck again early in the second period as Jareese Howard found the end zone on a 20-yard run. Howard finished with 60 yards on nine carries, helping Lincoln to average 6.6 yards per run for the contest.

Lane answered Lincoln's score but missed the ensuing extra point, keeping the Blue Tigers ahead by one. The Dragons later took a 20-14 lead on a 68-yard pass, but the Blue Tigers responded with a 67-yard touchdown run by Isaiah Tate, who led Lincoln with 98 net rushing yards. Lane finished the half with a quick touchdown drive to lead 27-21 at the break.

The Dragons scored on their first drive of the second half, and the score would remain 34-21 entering the final 7:44 of the fourth period. Qwalan Miller blocked a Lane punt and Dontonio Moore recovered the ball at the 27-yard line to set the Blue Tigers up with a short field. After a 13-yard run by Howard, Isaiah Tate connected with Tobias Williams for a touchdown that pulled the Blue Tigers to within 34-28. 

The Blue Tigers had a chance to get the ball back, but 21-yard touchdown pass on fourth down helped Lane to escape with the win. The Lincoln defense finished with 10 tackles for loss, led by Renard Willis, who finished with 13 tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception. Nathan Harden, Yasir Talib-Harrison and Andrew Sourinhaphong each broke up passes and Cory Macon, who ended the day with six tackles, recorded a sack. Donte Moore and Jacob McGhee each finished with eight tackles while Rakeim Ashford had five, including 2.5 tackles for loss.

RaeSean Eaton completed both of his pass attempts while Isaiah Tate completed 11 passes for 90 yards. Isreal Tate caught a team-high four passes, Armani Turner led the Blue Tigers with 31 receiving yards and Nico Wiedmann caught a pair of passes. On special teams, Clayton Winkler averaged 42.5 yards on punts and Mo Alwaely averaged 44.7 yards on kickoffs.

Lincoln closes its 2024 season next Saturday (Nov. 16) by hosting Indianapolis for a 12:00 p.m. CST contest.