ATLANTA, G.A. — Despite a fourth-quarter rally, Allen University football fell short in their season opener at Clark Atlanta Saturday, 26-22.
The Yellow Jackets took control over the momentum early as on the game's opening drive, Anthony Waddler and Tyson Hill teamed together to stop Clark Atlanta's conversion attempt on fourth-and-two to give Allen their first possession at the CAU 48-yard line.
On their first offensive play from scrimmage, Allen quarterback Jamir Dismukes found senior wide receiver Montrell White for a 24-yard gain. Then, on the next play, Dismukes connected with Kaleb Commings for a 48-yard touchdown and gave Allen the early lead, 6-0, with 11:49 left in the first quarter.
White led all Allen receivers with 102 receiving yards, meanwhile Commings tallied five catches for 76 yards. Dismukes finished his first game at Allen completing 21-of-28 through the air for 262 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions.
In response, Clark Atlanta closed out the opening quarter with two field goals to tie the game, 6-6.
Then in the second quarter, senior defensive back Bryce Jordan intercepted his first pass as a Yellow Jacket. Jordan's pick-off marked one of three takeaways on the afternoon for Allen's defense. For the Yellow Jackets defensively, Andre Phillips recorded a team-high nine tackles, followed by Kirkland Boone with eight, including two for a loss, and Osirus Rhodes with seven stops.
Over the final three minutes of the first half, Clark Atlanta kicked a pair of field goals to take a 12-6 lead into halftime.
Later in the third, trailing 19-6, Dismukes displayed his running capabilities as he scrambled for an 11-yard score to cap off a four-play, 66-yard drive that brought Allen back with seven points of the Panthers' advantage.
Into the fourth quarter, Allen continued their comeback efforts with a 34-yard field goal by freshman kicker Sam Herman, the first of his collegiate career. With 10:30 left to play, Allen trailed by four, 19-15.
On the ensuing CAU possession, the Yellow Jackets forced a Panthers' punt and began their next offensive series from their own 20-yard line. From there, the Yellow Jackets drove down the field behind six carries from senior running back Beau Herrington and a 4-for-4 passing effort by Dismukes that was culminated in a 24-yard touchdown grab by Nanders Lawrence to push Allen in front, 22-19, with 3:03 left in the game.
However, Clark Atlanta responded with a touchdown of their own to reclaim the lead, 26-22, with 43 seconds remaining. The Yellow Jackets were unable to find the endzone anymore in the final seconds.
The Yellow Jackets aim for a bounce-back performance next Saturday, September 14, at CIAA-foe Livingstone College. Kick-off is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Alumni Memorial Stadium in Salisbury, North Carolina.
