JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - After a first quarter controlled by both teams' defenses, the Lincoln football team and Truman State exploded for 82 points over the final three quarters on Saturday (Nov. 1). The Bulldogs ended up getting the better of the Blue Tigers, winning 59-26 in Lincoln's annual Homecoming game, part of the 100th Homecoming celebration at LU.

The only score of the first quarter was a 31-yard field goal kicked by Truman State (6-3, 5-1 GLVC), but the Bulldogs scored three-straight touchdowns in the second to kick off what ended up being a high-scoring contest. With just under two minutes until halftime, Armani Turner ran a kick return back 41 yards to the TSU 43. On the very next play, Jareese Howard broke through the defense and ran all the way to the house to pull LU to within 24-7.

The Bulldog scored just before halftime to go ahead 31-7, but Lincoln (2-7, 0-6 GLVC) used a long drive to get back on the board on the first drive of the third quarter. Marcus Harris kept the drive alive by catching a 15-yard pass on third down, then later finished the drive by hauling in a 10-yard touchdown pass. Harris ended up leading all receivers with eight receptions for 189 yards.

Truman State had a touchdown of its own later in the third, but a three-yard run by Will King III on the first play of the fourth quarter pulled LU back within 38-19. Lincoln would score one more time when Jaylen Thomas connected with Harris on a 54-yard pass to Harris with 11:13 remaining in the contest. Thomas completed 21 passes for 276 yards and a pair of scores.

Jaden Holloway caught seven passes for 77 yards, Turner had a pair of grabs for 10 yards and Howard and Israel Tate each had two receptions. Howard led the rushing attack with 68 yards. On special teams, Max Roth had two punts travel at least 50 yards and averaged 40 yards per kick while Luka Sari averaged 64.2 yards on kickoffs.

Jeremiah Gill led the Blue Tigers with nine tackles, Isaiah Franklin had eight and a break-up, Yasir Talib-Harrison forced a fumble and made seven takedowns and Jacob McGhee finished with four tackles, a tackle for loss and a hurry. Michael Allen made five tackles while Andrew Sourinhaphong recorded four. Devayne Johnson was credited with a hurry and J'Addison Brown had a tackle for loss.

Lincoln closes its home slate next Saturday (Nov. 8) by hosting Missouri S&T for Senior Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. CST.