From the SIAC:
BLYTHEWOOD, S.C. — For a consecutive week, Allen University orchestrated a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter, this time edging Livingstone, 34-32, on Saturday night at Westwood HS Football Stadium.
Trailing 34-26 with one second remaining in the game, quarterback David Wright III connected with Jamal Jones on a 55-yard pass with Jones tossing a lateral to Shemar Nelson who ran in from two-yards out to even the score at 34 apiece.
On the ensuing two-point conversion, Beau Herrington muscled his way into the endzone on the left side to secure the win for the Yellow Jackets. It was the Yellow Jackets second successful conversion on the day after failing on its last three two-point conversions leading up to the game winner.
The victory marks the first back-to-back wins for AU (2-1) since the University jump started its football program in 2018 after more than a decade.
Wright completed 12-of-26 pass attempts for 200 yards and three touchdowns and one interception. Nelson spotlighted a special teams unit that recorded two blocked punts when he returned a 92-yard kickoff for a touchdown to cut the deficit late in the game.
Trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Wright found Herrington in the flat for a 77-yard score. It is Wright’s longest on the season courtesy of Herrington’s run and catch. Heerington broke a pair of tackles and eluded three defenders en route to the endzone.
Herrington finished with a season high in rushing and receiving for 170 all purpose yards. He rushed for 94 yards on 22 attempts (4.3 avg.) and caught four passes for 76 yards and a score.
AU was able to take a 14-13 lead into the half after Corinithian Cunningham rushed for a four-yard touchdown – his first of the season. Cunningham finished the game with two touchdowns after scoring on a nine-yard pass from Wright to tie the game at 26 in the third quarter.
The Yellow Jackets finished with 342 total yards on offense.
Julius Pearson led the defense with seven tackles (5 solo), one sack and a forced fumble. Dahlil Wilkins forced four pass break ups to complement seven tackles. Kylan Pugh tallied an interception, forced fumble and two tackle for loss.
LC (0-3) tallied a season high 402 total yards behind quarterback Lazar Anderson’s game high 334 yards passing, connecting 21-of-36 pass attempts for three touchdowns with one interception.
Lasirto Bryant led all receivers with five receptions for 153 yards and two touchdowns. Matthew Henry added the other touchdown for the Blue Bears scoring on a 44-yard touchdown reception for his only catch of day.
Jaden Echols finished with eight tackles (4 solo), Malcom Mayes added an interception, and Brandon Duncan had a sack to highlight the Blue Bears on defense.
Next up, the Yellow Jackets will host Fort Valley State on September 25 at Westwood HS. Game time is slated for 6:00 p.m. EST.
