ROLLA, MO. – The Lincoln University football team got within eight points of Missouri S&T early in the third quarter, but the Miners wouldn’t let the Blue Tigers any closer, defeating Lincoln, 35-14, Saturday afternoon in Great Lakes Football Conference action at Allgood-Bailey Stadium.
With the rains that hit most of the state throughout the week, the field suffered, turning to mud by opening kickoff, making footing and running difficult throughout.
The Miners (3-6, 1-1 GLFC) took advantage of a Blue Tiger fumble early in the first quarter to tally the first points of the game on a field goal.
Both teams struggled to get any momentum going through most of the first quarter, as the score remained 3-0 until the third play from scrimmage in the second quarter broke free for MST.
With the ball at their own 41, the Miners gave the ball to Bobby Pettis and he did the rest, springing free down the left sideline untouched 59-yards for the game’s first touchdown and a 10-0 Miners’ lead less than a minute into the second frame.
The Blue Tiger offense mounted several strong drives in the first half, but were denied on a fourth down and a missed field goal turned away any points. The Lincoln defense continued to play the way they have for most of the season, limiting the Miners’ big plays, including a big stop on a fourth-and-goal at the Blue Tiger one to prevent any more points later in the second quarter.
A safety and another rushing touchdown had the Miners up 19-0, but the Blue Tigers weren’t about to let the game roll into halftime without having something to say about it.
Freshman O’Hara Fluellen returned the following kickoff 55 yards down to the Miners’ 21. Three plays later, junior quarterback Josh Goffigan faked to the up-back Andre Young and went in 13-yards untouched for the touchdown and after AJ Simeon’s two-point conversion; the lead was trimmed to 11 at 19-8. MST would add a field goal before the end of the first half, but the Blue Tigers opened the second half just like they did their final drive of the first half.
Fluellen struck again on the kickoff to open the second half, breaking free for a 45 yard return to the Miners’ 35. With the good field possession, Lincoln once again went to work. Following a Young run to get the ball to the one, Young later finished the drive on third-and-goal from the one, just getting in to trim the lead to eight at 22-14.
The Miners made sure to help keep the point separation at a comfortable distance, answering back on the very next play from scrimmage, as quarterback Jason Schlueter avoided a couple of would-be sack attempts to hit Kevin Dillon down the field, he made the catch inside the Blue Tigers’15 and did the rest, breaking two tackles for the touchdown to record the 52-yard touchdown strike and a 28-14 advantage for MST.
The Blue Tigers would put together a couple more solid drives, but were turned away on downs to help the Miners preserve the 35-14 victory.
MST outgained the Blue Tigers 386-157 on total yards and Lincoln chewed up almost as many total yards on offense as they did on four kickoff returns, tallying 121 total yards on those attempts, as Fluellen by himself has two returns for 109 yards.
Young led the way again for the Blue Tiger rushing attack, pounding out 40 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown. Chris Willis added 40 yards on eight carries and Goffigan handled 18 attempts for 32 yards and a touchdown. The reigning GLFC Offensive Player of the Week Schlueter was somewhat contained, completing 20-of31 pass attempts for 206 yards and two touchdowns. Jerome Miller and Pettis both had success running for the Miners, with Miller leading the way with 91 yards on 16 carries, while Pettis added 79 yards on nine attempts.
Lincoln will conclude their home slate of the 2009 season when they welcome in Kentucky Wesleyan to Dwight T. Reed Stadium next Saturday, November 7, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. CT.
Box Score (Final)
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Lincoln University.. 0 8 6 0 - 14 Record: (0-9,0-3)
Missouri S&T........ 3 19 6 7 - 35 Record: (3-6,1-1)
Scoring Summary:
1st 11:13 S&T - Drahos, Joe 23 yd field goal, 7-16 1:58, LU 0 - S&T 3
2nd 14:04 S&T - Pettis, Bobby 59 yd run (Drahos, Joe kick), 1-59 0:11, LU 0 - S&T 10
08:24 S&T - Ridpath, Joe safety, , LU 0 - S&T 12
04:06 S&T - Schlueter, J. 1 yd run (Drahos, Joe kick), 10-54 4:12, LU 0 - S&T 19
02:34 LU - Goffigan, J. 13 yd run (Simeon, A. rush), 3-21 1:21, LU 8 - S&T 19
00:00 S&T - Drahos, Joe 19 yd field goal, 10-69 2:34, LU 8 - S&T 22
3rd 09:13 LU - Young, A. 1 yd run (Campbell, A. kick failed), 9-35 5:37, LU 14 - S&T 22
08:51 S&T - Dillon, Kevin 52 yd pass from Schlueter, J. (Drahos, Joe kick failed), 1-52 0:16, LU 14 - S&T 28
4th 13:08 S&T - Bryant, Dexter 7 yd pass from Schlueter, J. (Drahos, Joe kick), 7-24 2:46, LU 14 - S&T 35