The last time Miles started a season 3-1 was in 2012, when the Golden Bears made their only trip to the NCAA Division II playoffs. That year, Miles averaged nearly 36 points per game through its first four contests.
This year, Miles is averaging 39 points a game to start the season. The Golden Bears used a dominating third quarter to break open a close game and subdue Lane 52-28 in both team's SIAC opener. at Sloan-Alumni Stadium In the win, the Golden Bears (3-1, 1-0 SIAC) scored their most points in a game since a 54-7 win over University of Mobile in 1983. They also amassed 590 yards total offense, the second-highest mark during the
Reginald Ruffin era, surpassed only by a 602-yard effort against Benedict in 2012.
Lane (2-2, 0-1), which beat Miles on a late-game field goal last season, had no answer for the Golden Bears' attack. Daniel Smith threw for 347 yards and four touchdowns, Wade Streeter had 107 yards rushing and Leonard Tyree had 176 yards receiving. The defense added six sacks and allowed just 52 yards rushing, most of it coming on a 38-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter - well after the game had been decided.
Miles led just 17-14 at halftime but scored touchdowns on its first three drives in the second half to take control. The first came on an electric play by Tyree. Miles got the ball inside its 10-yard line but three plays later was in the end zone when Smith hit a streaking Tyree up the sideline, racing along tightrope past two defenders who had solid angles to tackle him, and hitting paydirt 81 yards later for a 24-14 lead.
The next drive went 75 yards in 12 plays, ending with a 5-yard touchdown run by Donte Edwards, one of two on the night. When Smith threw his fourth touchdown of the night - an 8-yard completion to LaAnthony Robinson - Miles led 38-14 with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter. Streeter and Edwards would add touchdown runs in the fourth quarter to keep the Dragons at bay.
There were other big plays for the Golden Bears. Antonio Lee caught a 29-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, his first scoring reception since November 2017 after missing most of last season due to injury. Grant DuBose also made a brilliant 27-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter - his first career touchdown grab. Freshman running back Justin Ruiz also broke a 56-yard run en route to a 73-yard rushing performance.
Miles is back in action on Saturday for Homecoming, when it hosts Clark Atlanta. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.