KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Lincoln scored 42 points in the first half, but the Blue Tigers were held to just six in the final two quarters as Langston claimed a 49-48 win Saturday in the Missouri Classic at Arrowhead Stadium.
Langston, ranked No. 23 in the NAIA, outscored Lincoln 21-0 in the third quarter to rally from a 14-point deficit to hand Lincoln its season-opening loss.
Lincoln quarterback Jacob Morris completed 18-of-25 passes, including 11-of-12 in the first half, and finished with 201 yards and four touchdowns. The senior also added 66 yards rushing on 19 carries.
Senior running back Morris Henderson scored three touchdowns, including a 91-yard kickoff return. Morris finished with 78 yards on the ground.
Henderson's third touchdown nearly sent the game to overtime when he punched it in from three yards out to bring Lincoln within one point with 1:45 left in the contest.
Andrew Fishel's extra-point attempt was blocked and Langston converted on a key third down after the Blue Tigers opted to kick it deep, rather than attempt an on-side kick.
Langston quarterback Mark Wright was 15-of-31 for 245 yards and threw for three touchdowns. Wright also had 1118 yards rushing on 20 carries to lead Langston's ground attack.
Lincoln will open its home and league schedule Saturday when the Blue Tigers host Southwest Baptist in their first-ever Great Lakes Valley Conference contest.