JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Lincoln (MO) football team scored on offense, defense and special teams as the Blue Tigers beat Lincoln (CA), 40-14, in their annual Homecoming game on Saturday afternoon (Oct. 5).
The Blue Tigers struck first, as Jareese Howard broke free for an 18-yard touchdown run after the Oaklanders shanked a punt midway through the first quarter. On the Oaklanders’ next drive, Donte Moore intercepted a pass at the Blue Tiger three-yard line and ran it all the way back to the other end zone for a 97-yard touchdown that put Lincoln (MO) on top 14-0.
Lincoln (CA) (0-6) scored its first touchdown on a punt return early in the second quarter, but a short touchdown throw by Isaiah Tate to DeMareus Hosey near the end of the period allowed the Blue Tigers to take a 21-6 lead into halftime. Lincoln (MO) (1-4) would extend its lead to 28-6 on its first drive of the second half following a 20-yard scoring run by Howard.
Kantrell Jordan scored the Blue Tigers’ final touchdown of the day on a 22-yard run late in the third. Lincoln (MO) padded its lead with a pair of fourth-quarter field goals, with Mo Alwaely connecting from 31 yards and 50 yards. Alwaely averaged 53.8 yards on kickoffs while Clayton Winkler averaged 33.8 yards punting with three of his five kicks pinning the Oaklanders inside their own 20.
The Blue Tiger defense totaled six tackles for loss and four sacks, with Renard Willis and Jordan Garth each tallying solo takedowns of the quarterback. Cory Macon broke up two passes and tied Jordan Hoskins with five tackles, with Hoskins additionally recovering a fumble and notching two hurries. Christian Harris, who made four tackles, and Chris Williams, who provided three takedowns, each forced fumbles. Vez Carter was credited with a pair of hurries.
Rakeim Ashford and Trey Phillips each intercepted passes, and Ashford broke up two passes while Jeremiah Gill disrupted one. Jacob McGhee, Noah Osayande, J’Addison Brown, Woodens, PierreLouis, and Yasir Talib-Harrison were each responsible for 0.5 tackles for loss while Zenin Hall finished with four tackles and Qwalan Miller and Alex Holloway each notched three tackles.
Howard led a balanced rushing attack with 66 yards, averaging 7.3 yards per carry, followed by LaMarco Yates (46 yards) and Jordan (8.3 yards per carry). The Blue Tigers rushed for 167 yards as a team to win for the first time since beating Northeastern State in their 2019 Homecoming game.
That Northeastern State team will be the Blue Tigers’ next opponent, as Lincoln (MO) travels to Tahlequah, Okla. to play the RiverHawks next Saturday (Oct. 12) at 6:00 p.m. CDT.
