Golden Rams fall in nail-biter to Lane

Box Score JACKSON, TENNESSEE- Junior quarterback Frank Rivers was 21-31 for 284 yards, threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another, but the Albany State Golden Rams lost their second straight game, losing to Lane College Dragons 37-31. With the loss, ASU drops to 1-4 overall, 0-2 in the SIAC. Lane improved to 4-2, 2-1.

In the first quarter, Albany State was unable to score on its first drive, going three and out in its series. After an ASU punt, Lane scored the first touchdown of the game at the 9:32 mark to take an early 7-0 lead. The Golden Rams answered with a three-play, 72-yard drive that was ignited by Adrian Alexander's 54-yard touchdown that tied the score at seven with 8:13 left in the first period.

Less than three minutes later, the Dragons connected on a 36-yard field goal to reclaim the lead at 10-7. With 2:08 left in the first quarter, Lane capitalized on an ASU fumble and returned it for another score to take a 16-7 lead.

Albany State accounted for the only points in the second stanza. The Golden Rams marched on a 10-play, 79-yard drive that culminated when Rivers found Elijah Jordan in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown. Zachary Gayden-Holley's PAT brought ASU within two, 16-14, with 1:18 left before halftime.

In the third quarter, Albany State took their first lead of the game at the 10:13 mark when Gayden-Holley made a 22-yard field goal to give the Golden Rams a 17-16 lead. Lane reclaimed the lead at 23-17 with a 49-yard touchdown with 1:04 remaining in the quarter.

The pulsating fourth quarter saw the Dragons increase their lead to 30-17 after a one-yard touchdown run with 8:01 left in the game. Rivers cut the Golden Rams' deficit to 30-24 with a 2-yard rushing touchdown at the 6:35 mark. Rivers combined with Lenard Walker to show more heroics at the 3:56 mark. Rivers' pass to Walker created a 65-yard touchdown that gave Albany State a 31-30 lead.

However, Lane was able to answer on its final drive. The Dragons scored on a 6-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead at 37-31 with 33 seconds left in the game. Rivers attempt to get the Golden Rams in the end zone for a victory was thwarted when his pass was deflected and intercepted.

Kaream Hess and Phillip Moore led the Albany State rushing attack with 87 and 84 yards, respectively. Alexander added 68 more yards before being sidelined with an injury. Walker led the Golden Rams' receivers with 78 yards on three catches.

Marcavius Dudley led the ASU defense with 10 solo tackles. Tavarius Washington added eight tackles (six solo) and Jeremy Reynolds had seven more.

The Albany State Golden Rams return to action on October 19^th when they battle with the Morehouse Maroon Tigers in the university's annual homecoming game. Game time is slated for 2 p.m.

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