The Lions got their first win of the season in their home opener against the Savannah State Tigers with a final score of Southeastern, (1-1, 0-0) 63 Savannah State (0-2), 6 . The game saw the Lions rack up a total of 616 yards of offense and nine touchdowns, resulting in the fifth highest single game score in school history.
The game took place on Sept. 10 in Strawberry Stadium and added to the Lions’ perfect record (9-0) in home openers dating back to 2003. This meeting marked the first time that Southeastern has played an opponent from the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
The first quarter opened with the Lions receiving the ball from the Tigers; as Savannah State chose to kick instead of receive after winning the coin toss. The kick, received by Jordan Wells, was run back for 44 yards.
On the opening drive, the Lions steadily made their way up the field. Quarterback Bryan Young completed his first pass of the game to Kory Theodore for an 11-yard gain. He followed that up with a seven yard run and a pass to Zeke Jones for 12 yards and a first down. The drive was capped off after a 16-yard pass to Brandon Collins and a 1-yard touchdown carry by Jones.
Jones would end the night scoring three touchdowns, tying his career high from 2010 set against Lamar.
“It is a good accomplishment, but all I am worried about is our team winning every week,” said Jones about tying his record.
The Lions’ defense proved too much for Savannah State as the Tigers were forced to punt on their opening drive. On the Tigers’ second drive, quarterback Alfred Defilippis completed a 35-yard pass to wide receiver Dylan Cook. The Lions’ defense regained their composure, however, and stopped the Tigers on the 10-yard line, forcing the Tigers to kick a 27-yard field goal bringing the score to Southeastern 7, Savannah State 3.
The Lions received the ball with three minutes left in the first quarter. They used the time to take the ball from their own 32 yard line down to the Tigers’ 17 yard line. At the beginning of the second quarter, the Lions scored on another one yard Jones run.
On their opening drive of the second quarter, the Tigers took the ball from their own 35 yard line to Southeastern’s 22, but again the Lions’ defense tightened, holding the Tigers to a 39 yard field goal.
In the second quarter, the Lions used both quarterbacks Nathan Stanley and Young to continue their offensive success.
“We went into the game with the mentality that we were going to rotate two guys,” said head coach Mike Lucas. “Both of them played well and, as long as they continue to play well, we will continue to play both of