After forcing the Wildcats to punt on their opening possession, Allen put together a five play, 80-yard drive that was highlighted by a career-long 59 yard carry by freshman running back Fabian Duncan and capped-off by an eight-yard rushing touchdown from quarterback Jamir Dismukes to give Allen the early lead, 6-0.
Duncan’s career-long rush was a part of a career-best day for the young tailback as he carried the ball 25 times and totaled 135 yards in Saturday’s effort.
Then in the second quarter, the Yellow Jackets extended their lead on a 16-yard pass from Dismukes to tight end Jordan McGee to go ahead, 13-0. Each of Allen’s first two scoring drives spanned 80 yards.
Dismukes finished the afternoon completing 17-of-36 passes for 232 passing yards and four touchdowns with one interception.
However, after giving up their second touchdown of the day, Fort Valley State responded in a big way offensively. A pair of rushing touchdowns, two passing scores, and a kickoff return for a touchdown across the remaining fourteen minutes of the second quarter gave the Wildcats a 35-13 advantage heading into the half.
Coming out of the break, the Yellow Jackets began their second-half comeback effort with a 25-yard touchdown run by Dismukes, his fifth rushing score of the season. With 12:30 left to play in the third quarter, Allen trailed, 35-19.
In addition to his passing efforts, Dismukes was Allen’s second-leading rusher with 76 yards on 13 carries against FVSU.
Later in the third quarter, Dismukes connected with wide receiver Kaleb Commings on a four-yard touchdown pass to end an 18-play scoring drive. Entering the fourth quarter, Allen faced a 42-26 deficit.
On their next possession, the Yellow Jackets once again attacked the air with a 24-yard touchdown pass to Winston Reese. The senior from McDonough, Georgia’s second touchdown of the year, and a successful two-point conversation attempt, brought Allen within eight points of the Wildcats’ lead, 42-34.
Fort Valley State found a way to respond with 6:48 to play as the Wildcats’ quarterback Kelvin Durham threw a seven-yard touchdown pass to push FVSU back in front by fifteen points.
Never running out of gas, with 3:34 to play, the Yellow Jackets drove 75 yards down the field and saw Dismukes find Christian Combs for a 20-yard touchdown pass for Allen’s final score of the afternoon.
Combs led Allen with 73 receiving yards on five catches.
Although the Yellow Jackets allowed just two touchdowns in the second half, and outscored the Wildcats by 13 points over the final two quarters, Allen’s comeback efforts fell short as Fort Valley State held on to win, 49-40.
Defensively, Bryce Jordan was the Yellow Jackets’ leading tackler with nine stops on the afternoon, followed by Andre Philips with six tackles.
Allen returns home next Saturday, October 19 for the Battle of Taylor Street rivalry game against Benedict College. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. at Westwood High School.
