JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln football team had three scoring plays of longer than 50 yards, but the Blue Tigers fell in their 2024 home opener to McKendree, 34-19, on Saturday night (Sept. 14).

The only scoring in the first quarter was a field goal by the Bearcats, who later took a 10-0 lead on a 17-yard touchdown run early in the second period. The Blue Tigers answered with a 58-yard run into the end zone by quarterback Isaiah Tate on the ensuing drive, with Mo Alwaely tacking on the extra point to cut the deficit down to 10-7. Tate threw for 128 yards in the contest.

It did not take long for McKendree (1-1, 1-0 GLVC) to respond, however, as the Bearcats returned the following kickoff 87 yards for their second touchdown of the night. McKendree missed the extra point, however, and the game ultimately went into halftime with a score of 16-7.

After forcing a turnover on downs on the opening possession of the third quarter, Lincoln (0-2, 0-2 GLVC) cut the Bearcat lead down to two as Jareese Howard ran 86 yards for a touchdown on LU's first offense play of the second half. Howard ended the night with 111 yards on 10 carries for an average of 11.1 yards per rush. Armani Turner was LU's top receiver with two grabs for 89 yards while Tobias Williams had an 18-yard reception.

McKendree forced a safety later in the third quarter and scored on its next possession, but Nathan Harden blocked the extra point attempt and Cory Macon recovered the ball on the five. Macon out-ran the Bearcat defense and reached the end zone for a rare defensive two-point conversion, making the score 24-16 in favor of the Bearcats. Both teams later made field goals, with Alwaely successfully connecting on a 26-yard attempt, before McKendree put the game away with a late fourth quarter touchdown.

Jordan Hoskins broke up a pass and led the Blue Tigers with 10 tackles while Macon had nine, including one for a loss. Donte Moore and Chris Gonzalez each had sacks and Moore finished with four tackles overall and 1.5 tackles for loss. Zenin Hall added eight takedowns and had a hurry and Rakeim Ashford recorded Lincoln's first interception of the season. Dontonio Moore and Jamahreon Smith were each credited with hurries.

Harden and Vez Carter finished with seven tackles apiece, with Harden also breaking up a pass, and Jeremiah Gill made a tackle for loss to go with two tackles. Ke'ron Blankumsee, Tyler Beauliere and Woodens PierreLouis each made four tackles.

Clayton Winkler launched three punts over 50 yards and averaged 44.0 yards per kick with two pinning McKendree inside their 20. Tobias Williams had a 54-yard kickoff return while Darian Fletcher gained 71 yards on returns. Alwaely, meanwhile, averaged 48.6 yards on kickoffs.

Lincoln will be back at Dwight T. Reed Stadium next Saturday (Sept. 21) to host William Jewell at 12:00 p.m. CDT.