Albany State Golden Rams Get First Win in SIAC Opener at Lane

JACKSON, Tennessee -- Albany State opened Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play Saturday, Sept. 22 with a 14-7 win at Lane College – the Golden Rams' first win of the season.

ASU benefited from an unsportsmanlike penalty on fourth-and-one late in the first quarter to have new life at the Lane 24. On the next play, Kelias Williams hit a wide-open Mike Green for a 24-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-0 lead with 3:38 to play in the opening quarter.

Neither team added points in the second quarter with ASU getting inside the Dragons' 40 once before turning the ball over on downs. It remained 7-0 at the half.

On Lane's first possession of the third quarter, Kieran Strong forced and recovered a fumble at the Lane 45 to give the Golden Rams the ball with a short field. ASU controlled the clock, taking five minutes off over 10 plays. Williams capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run. Gabrie Ballinas added his second PAT to extend the Golden Rams lead, 14-0, with 5:30 remaining in the third.

The Dragons looked to get on the board early in the fourth quarter, but Vicente Pena's 42-yard field goal try missed wide left. Lane forced a fumble to get the ball back. The turnover led to a Dragon's touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Marcus Reynolds to Omari Hampton. Vicente Pena's kick cut the margin in half, 14-7.

Lane had one last threat late in the game, moving into Albany State territory, but the Golden Rams forced three incomplete passes before Jalen Bush and Roman Victor sacked Reynolds on fourth-and-10 to secure the win with a minute to play.

Albany State was held to 157 yards of offense, while allowing 205 yards to Lane. Williams had 88 yards of offense (20 rushing, 68 passing on 6-of-9 attempts). Tracy Scott and McKin Habersham each had 26 and 24 yards rushing, respectively. Stephon Masha also had time under center, completing 3-of-5 passes for 38 yards.

BOX SCORE

Reyonds had 150 yards passing for Lane, completing 14-of-30 attempts. Hampton was his main target with 80 yards receiving.

Stephan Pierre led the ASU defense with 10 tackles. Aaron Davis, Terry Compton and Deonte Jackson each had six.

Albany State (1-3, 1-0 SIAC) will host Miles College on Saturday, Sept. 29 at the ASU Coliseum. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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