JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln University of Missouri football team racked up 458 yards of offense, forced a pair of turnovers, registered four sacks and had a dominant night on special teams as the Blue Tigers beat Lincoln University of California, 55-6, in the 2025 season opener for both teams on Saturday night (Aug. 30).

Isaiah Tate completed 10 passes for 210 yards with three touchdowns while Jaylen Thomas went 6-for-9 for 85 yards and a score. Will King III scored the first touchdown of the season for the Blue Tigers on a three-yard quarterback keeper and later ran the ball into the end zone for a two-point conversion. In the fourth quarter, King threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Travis Reeves, Jr., giving the Blue Tigers five touchdown passes on the evening.

At the end of the first quarter, the Oaklanders tied the game at six on a three-yard run, but the extra point was no good and the Blue Tigers pitched a shutout during the final three periods. Luka Sari kicked field goals of 31 yards and 47 yards in the second quarter while Marcus Harris caught a 27-yard pass from Isaiah Tate to give the Blue Tigers a 19-6 cushion. The Blue Tigers entered halftime with a 27-6 lead after Isaiah Tate connected with Israel Tate on a four-yard touchdown pass and an Oaklander penalty set up King's two-point score.

Armani Turner caught three passes for a team-high 88 yards, highlighted by a 20-yard touchdown reception for the only score of the third quarter. Harris finished with two receptions for 85 yards and Justin Cooks scored a touchdown on a 43-yard catch-and-run. Reeves led the Blue Tigers with four receptions and finished with 31 receiving yards. In the ground game, Jalen Thomas scored a touchdown on a six-yard run and JaDarrius Thomas posted a team-high 55 rushing yards. Jareese Howard gained 33 yards on the ground, averaging 6.6 yards per carry.

Jacob McGhee had two sacks on the evening as the Blue Tigers finished with nine total tackles for loss. Qwalan Miller had one of those tackles for loss and led the Blue Tigers with seven takedowns. Sterling Bright was next with six tackles, including three for a loss, and Jordan Hoskins, who posted two quarterback hurries and recovered a fumble, ended the evening with four tackles. J'Addison Brown also had four tackles, including combining with Devayne Johnson on a tackle for loss.

Christian Harris recorded the first interception of the season for the Blue Tiger defense while Ke'Ron Blankumsee broke up two passes. Donte Moore sacked the quarterback and broke up a pass while Nate Harden, Michael Allen and Ryan Reese each broke up passes. Allen additionally had a sack. McGhee, Yasir Talib-Harrison, Mason Hall, Vijay Jones and Nate Akinola were each credited with hurries. Sari, meanwhile, averaged 32 yards on three punts and 64.2 yards on kickoffs.

The Blue Tigers will play their first road game of the year next Saturday (Sept. 6), traveling to Jackson, Tenn. to face Lane at 2:00 p.m. CDT.