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No. 1 Football secures first 6-0 start in program history with second-half comeback over No. 18 Faulkner

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COLUMBIA, Ky. – The No. 1-ranked Lindsey Wilson football team outscored Faulkner (Ala.), 21-3 in the second half to comeback and beat the Eagles, 24-19 on Saturday afternoon at Blue Raider Stadium.

Dylan Beasley completed 16-of-27 passing attempts and totaled 191 passing yards, while recording a pair of touchdown passes to lead the Blue Raiders (6-0, 1-0 MSC West) back from a 13-point halftime deficit over the Eagles (3-3, 0-3 MSC West). This is the first time in program history Lindsey Wilson has started a season 6-0.

The Blue Raider defense had four interceptions in the game as Joe Lewis had two picks and returned them for a combined 71 yards, including an interception to seal the win as Faulkner was driving the field in the final minutes. Alex Abner and Avery Ford also each recorded an interception for Lindsey Wilson. Faulkner quarterback, Clayton Nicholas, had just three interceptions all season coming into the game on Saturday, and he threw all four Eagle interceptions in the game.

Michael Brooks led the defense with 11 tackles – which moves him just six tackles behind Sam Wilson for the program record for career tackles.

In the first quarter, the Eagles marched down the field with an 11-play, 66-yard drive on the first possession of the game, but the Blue Raider defense held Faulkner to a field goal.

After Lindsey Wilson was forced to punt the ball on back-to-back possessions, the Eagles put together another long drive – 12 plays, 76 yards – but the Blue Raiders were able to hold Faulkner to another field goal as they had a 6-0 lead with 14:01 left in the first half.

On the ensuing drive, the Blue Raider offense was able to move ball into the red zone, but Beasley threw his first interception of the game as the Eagles put a halt to the eight-play, 66-yard drive for Lindsey Wilson.

After the Blue Raiders forced a Faulkner punt, Allen Cooks returned the ball to the Eagles 16-yard line. Lindsey Wilson was able to get on the scoreboard with 9:27 left in the second quarter after Caleb Keeton made a 33-yard field goal.

The Eagles scored the first touchdown of the game with 2:54 left in the second quarter as Nicholas hit Rob Lockhart for a 24-yard touchdown pass. The Blue Raiders tried to put points on the board just before the end of the half, but time expired before Lindsey Wilson could attempt a field goal.

On the first possession of the second half for Lindsey Wilson, they orchestrated a five-play, 65-yard drive that was capped off with a 41-yard touchdown pass from Beasley to Carmetrick Ross as the Blue Raiders cut into the Faulkner lead, 16-10.

Lindsey Wilson took their first lead of the game as time expired in the third quarter with Beasley completing a 12-yard touchdown pass to Jay Gaudlock, which completed a four-play, 40-yard drive for the Blue Raiders. Gaudlock made a defender miss and made a leaping effort to the pylon for the score.

Faulkner came right back to regain the lead with Hunter Kennamer making a 38-yard field goal with 10:36 left in the fourth quarter as the Eagles held a 19-17 lead over Lindsey Wilson.

The Blue Raiders battled back to take the lead once again, this time digging into their bag of tricks. Zak Mizell took the snap and handed it off to Cooks on a sweep. Cooks then dished the ball to Tyrone Stallard on a reverse, and then Stallard stopped and launched a pass that hit Mizell streaking down the sideline for a 45-yard touchdown to give Lindsey Wilson a 24-19 lead with 6:50 to play in regulation.

The game would not without a bit of late drama.

Lindsey Wilson elected to punt on a fourth and one from the Faulkner 48-yard line with just under two minutes remaining.

Faulkner quickly drove the ball down the field into Lindsey Wilson territory, but the Blue Raider defense once again came up big as Lewis grabbed his second pick of the day to seal the 24-19 win.

The 19 points scored by Faulkner is tied for the most the Blue Raiders have given up this season after Cumberlands (Ky.) scored 19 points against Lindsey Wilson a week ago.

This is the first time all season that Lindsey Wilson came from behind in the fourth quarter to win a game and eighth time in program history.

Lindsey Wilson hits the road next weekend as they travel down to Waleska, Ga., to face No. 8 Reinhardt (Ga.) on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.

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