Columbia, SC — In front of a passionate home crowd, Allen University football gave everything they had in a gritty showdown against Savannah State — but ultimately fell short in a heartbreaking 23–20 overtime loss.
The game had all the makings of a classic: early fireworks, defensive stands, and clutch plays that had the stadium rocking.
First Strike
The Yellow Jackets came out swinging. Junior quarterback Jamir Dismukes found sophomore tight end Ashton Horton on a tough 23-yard catch-and-run touchdown that saw Horton bulldoze through multiple defenders, setting the tone early. The first quarter closed with Allen holding a 6–3 lead.
Pick-6 Energy
After Savannah State answered with a short touchdown run by Joseph Hampton to go up 10–6, Allen's defense made a statement. Sophomore defensive back Ja'Mel Patterson jumped a route and took it 35 yards to the house for a pick-six, flipping the momentum back to Allen and igniting the crowd.
But the Tigers responded immediately with a 75-yard touchdown run by Ty'Veon Horton, followed by a field goal, pushing the halftime score to 20–12 in favor of Savannah State.
Defensive Grit
The third quarter saw the Yellow Jackets defense lock in. Allen didn't allow a single point in the second half of regulation. Led by sophomore linebacker JayShawn Smalls, who recorded a team-high 10 tackles (8 solo) and 2 tackles for loss, the defense tightened the screws.
Lance Carson added a game-changing sack for a 20-yard loss, while Amarie Fleming contributed with crucial stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Clutch Comeback
With time ticking down in the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets mounted a determined drive. Dismukes found Nanders Lawrence in the red zone for a 9-yard touchdown strike. The Yellow Jackets went for two — and delivered — as Dismukes again connected with Horton for the conversion, tying the game at 20–20.
Overtime Battle
In overtime, Allen's defense once again stood strong, holding Savannah State to just a field goal. But on their possession, the Yellow Jackets came up short after a few stalled plays and pressure from the Tigers' defensive front. The game ended 23–20.
Stat Leaders
Offense:
Defense:
What's Next?
With the loss, Allen moves to 2–3 in the SIAC, but their destiny is still in their hands. The Yellow Jackets enter a much-needed bye week before traveling to face conference powerhouse Tuskegee University on Saturday, October 25 at 1:00PM.
This team has shown it can hang with the best. And now, they've got the chance to prove they belong at the top.
The road continues. And the mission is still the same.
