LANGSTON, Okla. - The Lincoln Blue Tigers opened the football season Saturday afternoon with a 35-32 win against the Langston Lions.
Senior quarterback Owen Jordan tossed four touchdown passes and led an offense that compiled 406 total yards of offense on the Blue Tigers' way to their 250th program win.
Jordan orchestrated a 10-play, 55-yard drive on Lincoln's first possession of the season. Junior running back Keith Lakey punched in a 4-yard touchdown for a 7-0 lead.
Langston quickly responded with a 100-yard kickoff return to tie it.
Jordan then found junior wide receiver Delvon Rouser for a short 3-yard touchdown, capping off a seven-play, 53-yard drive. The Lions would get within a point, but failed to make the PAT early in the second quarter.
Rouser caught his second 3-yard touchdown of the half, which gave Lincoln a 21-13 lead.
Langston's Mark Wright turned in a 37-yard rushing touchdown to bring the contest within three points before a failed two-point converstion attempt.
Deeper into the second quarter, Jordan connected with junior wide receiver Darius Hicks for a 27-yard touchdown with 2:21 left in the second quarter. The touchdown gave Lincoln a 28-19 halftime lead. Hicks went on to catch five passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Rouser had six receptions for 73 yards along with the two scores.
Wide receiver Bryson Winfrey stepped up with a 23-yard touchdown reception five minutes into the second half to push its lead to 16.
Langston mounted a comeback, starting with a 13-play, 92-yard drive that took just under three and a half minutes during the third quarter. Wright had the short rushing touchdown to make it a 35-25 Lincoln lead with 3:40 left on the game clock.
The Lions scored once more with 3:40 remaining. After the Blue Tigers punted it back to the Lions holding the three-point lead, senior defensive back Robert Daniels came up with an interception with under a minute to play to all but settle the contest.
Freshman cornerback Darren Williams led the team with eight tackles and senior cornerback James Harmon had seven. Senior linebacker Kareem Joyner totaled six stops.
On the ground, Miles Drummond led the Blue Tigers with 22 rushes and 72 yards. Drummond, a Missouri transfer, was listed as the No. 2 running back prior to the contest. Will Randolph, projected starter, didn't make the stat sheet.
The Blue Tigers open their home schedule Saturday against St. Francis (Ill.) at Dwight T. Reed Stadium in Jefferson City. Kickoff is at noon.