JACKSON, Tenn. - The Lincoln football team scored a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, including one on a kick return, and beat Lane, 27-15, in a battle between HBCUs on Saturday afternoon (Sept. 6).

The Blue Tigers led nearly the entire game, but the Dragons briefly took a 15-14 advantage early in the fourth quarter on a nine-yard touchdown run. Lane went for two to try and make it a three-point game, but the Blue Tigers forced an incomplete pass. On the ensuing kickoff, Justin Cooks caught the ball at the Lincoln 17 and out-raced the defense to the end zone for an 83-yard touchdown. 

Ke'Ron Blankumsee intercepted a Lane pass on the next drive to set the Blue Tigers up at the Dragons' 30-yard line, and Jareese Howard capitalized on the takeaway by scoring on a one-yard run to put Lincoln ahead 27-15. The Dragons drove into Lincoln territory on their final possession of the game, but Dontonio Moore sacked the quarterback and forced a fumble, which was recovered by Chris Gonzalez to seal the Blue Tiger victory.

Lincoln got off to a hot start, forcing Lane into a three-and-out in the game's opening drive before scoring a touchdown during its first possession. Isaiah Tate connected on a 44-yard pass to Marcus Harris for LU's first touchdown of the afternoon, part of a very efficient 13-for-16 performance by the Blue Tiger quarterback. Tate finished the game with 164 passing yards and completed passes to six different receivers.

After forcing another three-and-out, the Blue Tigers embarked on another touchdown drive that took the final 7:08 off the first quarter clock. Tate completed a 24-yard pass to Harris to set up the second score before finding Jaden Holloway for a 26-yard touchdown later in the drive. Holloway, Harris and JaDarrius Thomas each caught three passes, with Harris tallying a team-high 70 receiving yards. Thomas, meanwhile, ran for 47 yards while Howard finished with 26 yards on the ground. 

The Lincoln defense recorded three sacks, one each by Moore, Jacob McGhee and Jadarrius Thomas. Moore, who had three tackles, also recovered a fumble while Jordan Hoskins led the Blue Tigers with six tackles. McGhee had two total tackles for loss and four tackles while Sterling Bright ended the day with five tackles, including a tackle for loss. Michael Allen and Renard Willis combined for another tackle for loss and Devayne Johnson broke up a pass.

The victory gives the Blue Tigers their first 2-0 start to a season since 1972. Lane, which was playing in its season opener, falls to 0-1.

The Blue Tigers will be off next week, but open GLVC play against Quincy at home on Saturday, Sept. 20. Kickoff from Dwight T. Reed Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. CDT.