Columbia, SC - Picked to finish 9th.

That was the preseason SIAC ranking for Allen University's football team heading into the 2025 campaign.

Ninth. 

A ranking that told the story of what outsiders thought this program would be. A ranking that fueled every practice, every film session, every weight room grind, every huddle. Because inside the walls of Allen University's football program, nobody believed this team was 9th.

The Allen University Yellow Jackets closed out their historic 2025 campaign with a 42–24 victory over Erskine College in the first-ever SIAC-COC Challenge, played at Bolden Stadium in front of a proud Columbia crowd that has watched this team rise from doubt to dominance.

The Yellow Jackets, now 5-3 in conference play and ranked 4th in the SIAC/8th D2 HBCU, capped off one of the most historic seasons in program history by handling Erskine College's Flyin' Fleet with the same physicality, flair, and relentless willpower that's come to define Allen Football under Head Coach Cedric Pearl.

Offensively, the Yellow Jackets clicked like a machine. The offense put up 42 points, continuing a blazing streak to add to the 109 points scored across their final three games—numbers usually reserved for basketball courts, not gridirons.

Allen struck first in their opening drive when Junior Quarterback Jamir Dismukes connected with Sophomore Wide Receiver Nanders Lawrence on a 66 yard touchdown pass and never looked back — scoring in all four quarters and showcasing their balance, grit, and explosiveness on both sides of the ball.

• 2025 SIAC Player of the Year Fabian Duncan continued to prove why he's among the nation's elite ball carriers: 27 carries | 148 yards | 1 touchdown bruising defenders attempting to keep him from the 47 yards needed to eclipse 1,200 yards in the season as he almost quadrupled the number needed. Duncan has now finished the 2025 season with 1,301 yards and 15 TD's.
• 2025 2nd Team All-SIAC QB Jamir Dismukes put on a clinic in what may be the most complete game of his career: 11-of-15 passing | 159 yards | 4 Touchdowns | 0 INT | Dismukes was efficient and video game like once again this season versus Erskine as he had a 73% completion rate and delivered a touchdown pass on almost every third throw he let fly.
• WRs made their moments count:
  -  Nanders Lawrence: 3 catches | 81 yards | 2 TDs
  -  Michael Townsend: 4 catches | 37 yards | 1 TD
  -  Calvin Parker: 2 catch | 33 yards | 1 TD
• Allen dominated the rushing attack with 168 total rushing yards and 5.5 yards per carry from their carriers.

• Kicker\Punter Trevor Bywater was special versus Erskine going 6/6 on PAT's and saving his best for the season finale with 2 punts for 87 yards. His second and last punt landed inside the 20 rolling all the way to the 1 yard line, which moments later led to a Yellow Jackets touchdown.

Defense = Statement

Allen's defense delivered one of their most physical, opportunistic games of the year:
 

• 2025 2nd Team All-SIAC selection Amarie Fleming proved why he is one of the most feared pass rushes in the nation creating havoc all afternoon putting constant pressure on Erskine's quarterback. The SIAC leader in sacks had several sacks and a forced a fumble and touchdown for the defense.
  Mandrell Sanders scooped up a fumble and returned it for a touchdown (4th quarter dagger).
• Diamondz Wells, Jayshawn Smalls, and Ja'Darius Cherry each recorded 1.0 sack.
• Smalls added 2 tackles for losses for -14 yards, one of several tone-setting hits.
• Jhyheem Pittman provided consistency and pressure on the Erskine quarterback as he and Wells forced and recovered fumbles.
• Gresham, Wilkins, and Floyd locked down the middle and short passing lanes.
• Rayquan Williams tied the single game interception record with 2 INT's, a records that 2025 2nd Team All-SIAC selection Aeron Gresham also tied versus Benedict earlier this year. Gresham also recorded an interception versus Erskine as he has totaled a team-high 4 on the season. The two combined for 5 pass break-ups .

This was a defense playing fast, physical, and for each other — with purpose.

And in the process, the Yellow Jackets didn't just win a game.

They sent a message as the buzz is Bigger Than Football.

This win wasn't just for the players and coaches.

It was for the community that stayed faithful, the fans who stood through the early years, and the alumni who wore these same blue and gold colors hoping for a day like this.

From the trenches to the sidelines, Allen Football has become a name that now rings bells—not just in Columbia, but across the SIAC and the country.

And once the 2026–27 rosters are officially submitted to the NCAA and SIAC, if this group stays intact… Allen University's mailroom might start looking like a local post office — the way these national awards, NIL opportunities, recognition, and honors are gonna be coming in (Attn: Allen Football). All with a buzz and energy around the Allen campus and city of Columbia that may never have been seen before.

They're not the underdogs anymore.

This is a Powerhouse Program under the leadership of Head Coach Cedric Pearl and the name is Allen University Football.