JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - The Lincoln football team led for most of the contest, but Langston scored a touchdown late in the fourth quarter to prevail in the Battle of the LUs, 19-14, on Saturday night (Sept. 12).
The Blue Tigers came very close to pulling out a dramatic last-second win, but quarterback
Antwon McKay, Jr. was tackled two yards shy of the end zone on the final play of the contest. Early in the drive, McKay had a 13-yard gain to convert a key third down, and completed a pair of passes to
Jaden Williams for a total of 20 yards to move Lincoln (1-1) down to the opposing 32.
Leonard Butler IV gained 25 yards on four carries to move the Blue Tigers down to the seven, and he later caught a pass at the five to set up the exciting final play.
McKay ran for 86 yards, including a two-yard scamper into the end zone that put the Blue Tigers ahead, 7-6, with 5:43 remaining in the first quarter. He also passed for 123 yards, with
Ron Lunz,
Gage Bohannon and Williams each catching a pair of passes.
Kenny Rosenthal had a 56-yard carry and Butler finished with 37 yards on the ground.
The Lions scored with six seconds remaining in the first quarter to take back the lead, 12-7, but Lincoln answered in the second period. McKay gained 21 yards on a run, and a defensive holding penalty gave Lincoln a first down at the Langston 39.
Kantrell Jordan, who had 56 rushing yards while averaging 6.2 yards per carry, gained 13 on the ground for another first down. McKay later connected on a 14-yard pass to
Kalvin Moua to get the Blue Tigers into the red zone, and Jordan finished the drive with a two-yard touchdown run.
The 14-12 advantage for the Blue Tigers held until there was 5:27 remaining in regulation, thanks in part to some big stops by the Lincoln defense.
Jordan Jones and
Brandon Rowe, Jr. each blocked extra point attempts.
Kaliub Hopkins forced a fumble and
Rob Farmer IV had a fumble recovery.
Isaiah Franklin and
Cayden Duncan each broke up passes and Lincoln finished with three tackles for loss.
Matt Shelton, Jr.,
Dempsey Spears and
Scotty Dobbins tied for the team-lead with six tackles apiece.
Mark Gorbatenko, who was credited with three hurries, and
TJ Kelly each made five tackles.
Justin Spears,
Marion Slater and Farmer finished with four takedowns each.
Antwone Gooden had a 75-yard punt and averaged 43.8 yards kicking.
Jayce Laughter, meanwhile, averaged 64.7 yards on kickoffs.
The Blue Tigers open GLVC play on the road next Saturday (Sept. 19) as Lincoln travels to Quincy, Ill. to play Quincy at 1:00 p.m. CDT.
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