Miles Golden Bears rebound against Lane Dragons

JACKSON, Tennessee -- A fast start and strong finish helped Miles defeat Lane 26-14 Saturday afternoon at Lane Field. The win helped the Golden Bears (4-3, 2-1 SIAC West) get back in the win column but after a Kentucky State upset win over Tuskegee, last week's loss to the Thorobreds will prove to cost the team an opportunity to defend its SIAC Championship.

Miles led 17-0 at halftime but Lane came charging in the third quarter. A 24-yard touchdown run by Marcus Holliday on the opening possession of the second half was followed by a 15-yard fumble recovery by Will Lacy Jr. that cut the Dragons' deficit to 17-14.

The Golden Bears, though, did not fold. Nick Christiansen - who was excellent punting the ball (44.2 yard average, 4-of-5 inside the 20) and closed out the game with a 16-yard run on a fake punt for a first down - booted his second 22-yard field goal of the game with 8:31 left to extend the advantage to 20-14. Then, after Lane muffed a punt, Miles scored on the ensuing play with David Whipple (118 yards passing) hitting Vincent Davis from 18 yards for his first career touchdown catch to cement the victory.



Miles was lights out defensively in the first half, keeping the Dragons out of the end zone and forcing the action as the home team had trouble even moving the ball with just 79 yards of total offense. A Ricky Clark fumble recovery led to a touchdown run by Whipple in the second quarter and great field position allowed Ger'Kerry Jackson (52 yards rushing) to find the end zone for the second straight week. Both scoring runs were four yards.

With the score close in the fourth quarter, Miles held Lane to just three yards total offense. Emmanuel Ray had a team-high 10 tackles (eight solo) while Jarmari Ford and LaBarron Rodgers each had seven tackles (six solo) for the Golden Bears, who travel to Clark Atlanta next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.

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