Lions defense impressive in home opener shutout of Bacone College

Langston, OK – Sheldon Augustine helped spark the Langston University offense with an 87-yard punt return in the first quarter and there was no looking back for the Lions as they defeated Bacone College in the home opener Saturday night, 19-0, at W.E. Anderson Stadium before a crowd of 3,210.

Photo Courtesy of LangstonSports.com.

The punt return proved to be all LU needed in the team’s first win of the season, but Anthony Fernandez added a pair of field goals and Ivory Cook scored a late fourth quarter touchdown to cap the scoring. Bacone, on the other hand, was on LU’s side of the field a few times but never came close to threatening to score.

The Lions were able to move the ball throughout the night but were hurt by untimely penalties – 11 for 87 yards – that stalled several drives. LU also missed a field goal and had an extra point botched when the ball slipped through the hands of punter of David DeHarde.

The scoring began with the punt return by Augustine in the first quarter and Fernandez followed up with the two short field goals to up the lead to 13-0 at halftime. After a scoreless third quarter that included penalties and injuries, the Lions were able to mount a drive in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. That drive was capped by the two-yard touchdown run by Cook.

The LU offense easily outgained the Warriors 369-94. The LU defense consistently stopped Bacone when they threatened, and posted a shutout in the home opener.

Junior quarterback Jac’Quon Miles led the Lions in passing and rushing with 158 yards through the air and 58 yards on the ground. Miles shared time at quarterback with senior transfer Brendan Crawford.

Malik James forced the Lions’ lone turnover defensively with an interception and Ronald Burgess and Chase Green each had four tackles to lead the way. Burgess also had two sacks in the game.

Next up for Langston University (1-1) will be a road game against the defending NAIA champion, St. Xavier. The game will be played in Chicago with kickoff set to begin at 5 p.m.