Lane alum, Houston Texans player Jacoby Jones returns from NFL to campus

Jackson, Tennessee -- Five years after playing his final college football game and two years since his graduation, Lane College remains a destination for Jacoby Jones. A member of the National Football League's Houston Texans, Jones was at Lane's chapel service Wednesday and intends to spend most of the week in Jackson.

The Texans — who lead the Tennessee Titans by one game in the AFC's South Division — have the week off.

"I love this place," Jones said of Lane. "It made me a better man, and I appreciate what I have now. "It's not a D-I (Division I) school. We have the same field (Lane Field), training room and locker room. It makes you hungry."

A three-time all-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference selection, Jones was a third round selection of the Texans in the 2007 NFL Draft and the 73rd player selected overall.



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Lane Dragons end season with fourth win

COLUMBIA, South Carolina — This season has been up and down for the Lane Dragons, which is better than the previous two seasons when they failed to win a game. 2011 ended on the up-side when the Dragons defeated Benedict College 19-13 to go into the offseason on a positive note.

"It was definitely good to get a win today and end the season like that," said Lane head coach Derrick Burroughs. "But we've got work to do to get better for next season, especially on offense."

The Dragons scored all of their points in the first half. A safety and a 37-yard field goal by Ryan Bullock gave the Dragons a 5-0 lead in the first quarter.

Alan Ferguson ran a yard for a touchdown late in the second quarter, and Ferguson threw to William Golston for 19 yards for another touchdown 15 seconds later after the Dragons' defense recovered a fumble.

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Benedict closes season with 19-13 defeat

COLUMBIA, S.C. - There was no miracle finish for the 2011 Benedict College Tigers football team, as a last-second, last-ditch effort fell short and Lane College took a 19-13 victory Saturday in a NCAA Division II contest at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium.

Trailing 19-0 at the half, Benedict rallied with a pair of touchdowns in the second half and got the ball with 1:01 left in the game and 77 yards away from a potential game-winning touchdown and extra point.

The Tigers picked up some big yardage, as quarterback Simeon Kelley rushed for gains of 12 and 20 yards, and then completed a 17-yard pass to Harlon Samuels for a first down at the 23-yard line. But then the Tigers stalled, with Kelley throwing an incomplete pass on first down, a delay of game penalty on second down pushed them back five yards, and Kelley was sacked on the next play.

He spiked the ball to stop the clock ...



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KSU Thoroughbreds thwart Lane Dragons' efforts

Jackson, Tennessee -- Lane went into Saturday's game with Kentucky State with a skeleton crew defense in some areas, but the Dragons helped the Thoroughbreds to three points after halftime.
The problem was Kentucky State scored two touchdowns in the first half en route to a 17-6 win at Lane Field.

"We're just not very good offensively right now," said Lane head coach Derrick Burroughs. "A lot of teams had scored a lot of points on their defense, and I thought we would have a chance to do so, too. "To only get one offensive touchdown, that's not good at all."

Lane was the first team to score as Evan Yabu ran 49 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter, but that was the only time the Dragons would cross the goal line. The Dragons had their opportunities as well.



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Miles Golden Bears 37, Lane Dragons 3

Fairfield, Alabama - In front of a homecoming crowd of 13, 613, the Miles College Golden Bears beat the Lane College Dragons handily, 37-3, at Albert Sloan-Alumni Stadium in Fairfield, AL.

Miles scored first midway through the first quarter when David Thomas hit Antonio Pitts for a 25-yard touchdown pass.

Midway through the second quarter, Lane would score their only points of the game on a 38-yard field goal by Ryan Bullock.

The Golden Bears would then score 30 unanswered points the rest of the way, including three touchdowns passes and a touchdown run by David Thomas. The scoring onslaught also included a Patton Chambers also added a 38-yard field goal in the second quarter.

In addition to his five total touchdowns, Thomas completed 13 of 20 passes for 215 yards while also running for 44 yards. Emmett Terry also ran for 109 yards on 17 carries for the Golden Bears.

The Golden Bears defense, led by nine tackles from Julanta English, held the Dragons to just 156 yards of total offense.

Corey Jones led Lane with 14 tackles, including six solo tackles, while Paris Hopper finished with 10 tackles.

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Lane Dragons falls at homecoming to Tuskegee

Jackson, Tennessee -- Things went wrong all day for Lane College, and just about everything went right for Tuskegee. That added up to a 41-17 win for the Golden Tigers at Lane's homecoming.

"We just didn't have anything going right for us today," said Lane head coach Derrick Burroughs. "It's hard to find anything positive when you play like we did today. "They just kicked our butts on both sides of the ball."

Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater said his team is still a work in progress, but there was plenty to build on in the win. "We did a lot of good things, especially offensively," Slater said. "We're getting better in some areas, and our ground game is one of them."

The Tigers moved the ball at will at times in the first half against the Dragons, compiling 122 rushing yards on 25 carries while the defense held Lane to 38 yards before halftime. Most of Tuskegee's yards came in the second quarter.



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Game preview: Tuskegee at Lane College

When: 2 p.m. today
Where: Jackson, Tenn.
Records: Tuskegee (1-4); Lane (3-3)
On the air: None

FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY
1. Close. That's where Tuskegee head coach Willie Slater believes his program is, despite its 1-4 start. "I think we're getting better every week," Slater said. A big part of the Golden Tigers' struggles so far, Slater said, has been their youth. After a knee injury sidelined starting quarterback Jeremy Williams for four weeks, Slater was forced to insert freshman Justin Nared at QB. Three freshmen on the offensive line and an inexperienced backfield adds to the mistake-prone offense.

2. Slater said Williams' knee injury won't keep the junior quarterback out of the lineup much longer. "He was out here running steps today, so I think he's a little ahead on his rehab," Slater said. Williams was injured in the first half of Tuskegee's loss to Alabama A&M three weeks ago.



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Albany State Stunned By Lane

Jackson, Tennessee -- The Albany State Golden Rams appear to have been caught in the trap game. Saturday’s game at Lane College (3-3) was supposed to be a reprieve for ASU before their SIAC Eastern Division slate starts next week.

Twelfth-ranked ASU scored three points in the second half losing to the Lane Dragons 26-24.

The Golden Rams led 21-20 at the half, but a third quarter touchdown by Lane College running back McKinsley Marbury sealed the game for the Dragons. ASU kicker Brandon Hamilton hit a 40-yard field goal in the fourth, but the Rams were unable to put any more points on the board.

Marbury was the star on Saturday at Lane Field. The running back had 29 carries for 143 yards and three touchdowns. While, ASU’s all-conference quarterback Stanley Jennings was not able to pull off another come-from-behind win. Jennings was 8-20 for 160 yards and a touchdown.

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Not pretty, but Stillman will take it over Lane Dragons

Coach Teddy Keaton

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama | The Stillman Tigers rumbled, bumbled and fumbled their way to a 28-17 victory over the visiting Lane Dragons at Stillman Stadium. Turnovers defined the game, with Stillman giving the ball away four times, three on fumbles.

“This is the sloppiest we’ve played all season,” Stillman coach Teddy Keaton said. “I think we made too many mistakes, too much stuff that could take a good ballgame and take it away from you.”

Stillman (4-1, 3-0 Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Confernce) played three different quarterbacks Saturday night, none of which was effective except in short spurts. The Tigers finished with 315 yards of offense, 165 of which came on the ground, with the quarterbacks going a combined 11-for-23 passing with two interceptions.

“I came out with the first touchdown, but there at the end, I slowed down,” sophomore quarterback Brandon Allen said. “I just have to do better.”

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Lane falls in final minutes to Morehouse Maroon Tigers

Jackson, Tennessee - Lane College did the things necessary to win its football game against Morehouse, but the Maroon Tigers did just a little more to pull out a 25-21 win at Lane Field Saturday.

A 20-yard touchdown pass from Bryon Ingram to a leaping Derrick Hector in the back of the Lane end zone provided the game winning score with 1:25 to play in the fourth quarter.

Hector used his six-foot-five frame to his advantage throughout the day to pull in five passes for 81 yards, but Lane coach Derrick Burroughs was more concerned with the Dragons' output on offense — or lack of it.

"We matched up (with Hector)," Burroughs said. "But we've got to get better offensively. Our third down conversions were bad, and turnovers (two lost fumbles) have hurt us every game.

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Lane Dragons Win First Home Game!

Jackson, Tennessee - The Dragons football team got their first home victory in over two years as they defeated the Skyhawks of Point University 46-18. The Dragons picked up their second win of the season, and activated the ringing of the “Big Blue Bell” into action once again.

It did not take long for the Dragons to score first as the Skyhawks won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball in the second half. Freshman kicker Ryan Bullock connected on a 32- yard field goal at the 11:52 mark for a Dragons 3-0 advantage. This would not be the only score of the first quarter for the Dragons. With 1:12 left on the clock, Freshman Quarterback Alan Ferguson aired a long-range missile to the right corner of the end zone, where he found Greg Moore for a 48-yard touchdown. Ryan Bullock added the extra point for a Dragons 10-0 lead.

The second quarter started the same way the first quarter ended.

Once again the Dynamic-Duo of Ferguson and Moore made reservations in the end zone after a 47 yard hook up for another Dragons touchdown. Bullock connected on his second extra point of the evening putting the Dragons up 17-0.

Not to be denied, the defensive unit was the next to give the overflow crowd at Lane Field something to cheer about. Jack Howard zeroed in on the Skyhawk Quarterback, creating a fumble that allowed teammate Tyren Futch to collect the pigskin and rumble 72 yards to pay dirt. Ryan Bullock connected once again on the extra point and increased the Dragons'lead to 24-0.

The Skyhawks put together a five minute drive to the end zone as QB Michael Bloodser was able to enter pay dirt from one yard out for the touchdown. The Skyhawk's attempt for a 2 point conversion resulted in a 92-yard safety for the Dragons. The pass attempt for the conversion was intercepted by the Dragons Paris Hopper, and the race to the end zone was on. After the speedy free-safety cleared his last obstacle, it was smooth sailing for the 92-yard return and a 26-6 Dragons half-time lead.

After each team had one possession in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, Dragon Damien Harris intercepted the Skyhawks' Quarterback pass giving the Dragons great field position at the Skyhawks 46-yard line. Seven plays later, Darren Henry shot up the middle for a five-yard run to the end zone for a touchdown. Ryan Bullock added another extra point and increased the Dragons' lead to 33-6.

After getting a nice run back on the kick-off by Darion Sneed, the Skyhawks moved the ball to the Dragons' 26-yard line. The next play from scrimmage allowed Paris Hopper to step in front of the Skyhawks' receiver and dash for what would seem to be a 99-yard interception return for a touchdown. A penalty against the Dragons before the interception negated the outstanding return and placed the ball at the 11-yard line.

Michael Bloodser connected with Brand Lampkin on an 11-yard pass, completing a five-play 66 yard drive for the Skyhawks' second touchdown of the evening at the 4:04 mark in the third quarter. The two-point conversion failed as the pass was incomplete and the Dragons' lead was reduced to 33-12.

A quick offensive possession by the Dragons, gave the ball back to the Skyhawks after a bad snap sailed over Punter Ryan Bullock's head. The Skyhawks looked to be ready to put another drive together before Kedric Hooks intercepted the Quarterback pass for a 58-yard return and a Dragons touchdown. Ryan Bullock connected with his fifth extra point of the evening and increased the Dragons' lead to 40-12 going into the fourth quarter.

Bullock added two additional field goals (23 & 36 Yards) in the fourth quarter before the Skyhawks scored their third touchdown of the evening with nine seconds left in the game for a final 46-18 Dragons Victory.

The Dragons look to continue the winning streak at home on September 24 as they host the Maroon Tigers of Morehouse College. Kick-Off is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start.

We invite all fans to wear your Royal Blue as we pack the stadium for the next football action.

For more information on the statistics please visit our web-site: www.golcdragons.com.


By Lane College Sports Information

Lane at Clark Atlanta

Atlanta - The Dragons, fresh off their first win in nearly three years, are back on the road this week. This time, they're in Atlanta for their SIAC opener against Clark Atlanta at 6:00 p.m.

Clark Atlanta won both teams' opener in 2010 at Lane Field 20-6 after scoring a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter to break a tie. The Dragons appear to have an improved offense this season after racking up 307 total yards last week in their win at NAIA Edward Waters College.

Quarterback Alan Ferguson completed 18 of 20 passes for 157 yards while rushing 12 times for 51 yards. Cordero Cooper was Ferguson's main target, catching nine passes for 67 yards.

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Lane Dragons get first win since 2008

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Lane’s football team made history on Saturday. The Dragons traveled to Edward Waters in Florida and came away with a 17-10 win, their first victory since November of 2008.

Lane took a 3-0 lead in the first quarter when Ryan Bullock hit a 22-yard field goal about eight minutes into the game. No one scored after that until Darren Henry ran 16 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Lane scored about three minutes later when Alan Ferguson took a quarterback keeper over the goal line from a yard out. The Dragons scored on the quick possession after the defense recovered a fumble on about the Edward Waters 35-yard line.

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Lane's goals don't stop at ending losing streak

Jackson, TN -- The Lane College football team doesn't have its sights set on just winning one game this season, which would end a 21-game losing streak that dates back to a 52-2 win over Miles College on Nov. 1, 2008.

Players and coaches, including plenty of new faces, were optimistic about the Dragons' chances to win multiple games and compete in the new West Division of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

"Our goal is definitely not just to win one or two games," said linebacker Corey Jones, who is transferring from Los Angeles Southwest Community College. "We're coming in trying to win every game we can and give it all we've got."

Ronnel Ramsey, a 6-foot-11 offensive tackle who transferred from Seton Hill (Pa.), said the incoming players want to learn from the returning Dragons and send the seniors out with multiple wins.

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St. Jude's Williams, Marbury's Averhart headed to the SIAC

Two local football players signed to play in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference this week. Marbury running back Charles Averhart is headed to Stillman, and St. Jude defensive back Rashaad Williams signed with Lane College.

"I've put in a lot of hard work from my freshman season through my senior year, and it feels good to know I'm going to the next level," Averhart said. For Williams, earning a college scholarship helped fulfill a promise.

"This a dream come true," Williams said. "Before my mom passed away, this was something I promised her I would do." Williams' mother (Dionne Johnson) passed away when he was a sophomore. As the oldest of four siblings, Williams said his mother and father (Sedgwick Williams) helped mold his work ethic and attitude.

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Lane Dragons end 2010 without a win

TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Lane failed to get first-year head coach Derrick Burroughs a win this season as the Dragons lost at Tuskegee 28-6 on Saturday in their final game of the year. The second quarter was the difference as Tuskegee scored three touchdowns in the period after entering the quarter up 7-0.

Joshua Harris threw to D'Mari Franklin for a 27-yard score to put Tuskegee up 7-0. Nykeem Barton followed with two rushing touchdowns from inside the red zone. Jeremy Williams then threw to Philand Browder for a 37-yard score for the four-touchdown lead.

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Lane drops 18th straight game to Miles

Lane College head coach Derrick Burroughs didn't mince words after the Dragons lost their homecoming game, 20-6, to Miles College at Lane Field on Saturday.

The bottom line ... we are not very good, but it won't always be like that," Burroughs said. "Today, I saw what I had heard before I took the job, that (Lane football) was very undisciplined, and I would rather go 0-10 with guys who want to be here."

Leading 7-0 at intermission, Miles put together back-to-back scoring drives to open the second half giving the Golden Bears a 20-0 lead, using 10 plays total to drive 47 and 36 yards, respectively.

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Lane Dragons lose close one after controversial call‎

Lane College went from the brink of assuring its first win in 17 games to going to overtime in 46.7 seconds. Benedict beat the Dragons 30-23 in overtime at Lane Stadium on Saturday.

Lane (0-6) held a 23-20 lead late in the fourth quarter with the ball on the Benedict 1-yard line. Lane quarterback Tahj Dent appeared to have dived into the end zone for the two-possession lead, but the referees said that Dent fumbled and called a touchback to give Benedict the ball on the 20-yard line with 46.7 seconds remaining. Lane still held the 23-20 lead.

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Albany State Rams slay Lane Dragons, 43-13

ALBANY, GA — It’s good to be home. After three long road trips in four games to start the season, the Albany State football team returned to the Albany State University Coliseum on Saturday night, using a fourth-quarter surge to beat a pesky Lane team, 43-13, and improve to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in the SIAC.

It wasn’t as easy as the Rams had hoped, however, as the Dragons (0-5, 0-4) used a blitz all game long that stumped ASU and quarterback Stanley Jennings until the final frame.

“We actually went into the game thinking we could run the ball a lot better than we did,” head coach Mike White said. “The passing game (ended up being) there, (because) they were throwing a lot of people down (at us). So we were able to get them for some big plays.”

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Lane Dragons looking for first win in Burroughs era

The Lane football team received much-needed rest this past week with a bye, but the Dragons will likely need every day of their two-week preparation for No. 18 Albany State. The Dragons (0-4, 0-3) are winless in the first four games of the Derrick Burroughs era, and Burroughs hoped the bye week allowed the team to regain its early-season form.

"A bye week is great to heal some injuries, and we've had our fair share of those," Burroughs said. "The team was ahead of my expectations in the first two games ... but we've regressed in our last two games. "The bye week was about rediscovering our running game, verifying our blocking scheme and staying in our gaps on defense."

ASU FOOTBALL NOTEBOOK: ASU WR coach Conner 'pleased' with Rams

ALBANY, GA — Receivers and special teams coach Kenyan Conner is also an assistant baseball coach at Albany State, but he’s been more concerned with pigskin flying through the air than baseballs these days, despite the fact the baseball team is already prepping for the upcoming season.

But he hasn’t had to worry about the receivers too much this year; they’ve already racked up a combined 760 receiving yards and eight touchdowns through four games.

“I’m pleased with some of the things we worked on this summer, like catching the ball at its highest point,” Conner said. “We’ve dropped a (couple) touchdowns (in the end zone the other day), but the same guy caught one later. So we’re trying to work on a level of consistency and get better from where we are now.”

RADIO: 98.1 FM. (Albany)

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Morehouse crushes Lane, goes to 3-0

Morehouse is serving notice to the SIAC that they are for real. Just as clear though: Lane College isn’t a team by which to judge that. The Maroon Tigers (3-0, 2-0) pounded Lane 49-6, taking advantage of some, but not all, of Lane’s many miscues. The Dragons routinely went backward on offense, some which could be credited to the Morehouse defense, but some was the result of bad snaps, poor decisions and fumbled punt attempts.

David Carter led Morehouse with 71 yards in the first half. Derrin Nettles had 15 tackles and a sack, and Chigbo Annunoby had 13 tackles.

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The hardest working band in Division II--Morehouse College! The "House of Funk" didn't let a rainy night in Georgia stop their field show performance for the home team fans... Look Mom, no rain coats!!