WINNSBORO, S.C. — In front of a spirited home crowd at Fairfield Central High School, the Allen University Yellow Jackets delivered their most complete performance of the season — and it came at the perfect time.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Allen defeated Lane College 29-21 in a high-energy contest that marked the Yellow Jackets' first victory of the year and more importantly, a 1-0 start to SIAC conference play.
From the opening kickoff, there was a noticeable shift. The defense flew around. The offense controlled the tempo. Special teams played with precision. And for Head Coach Cedric Pearl, it was a total team win that he believes sets the tone for what's ahead.
"Great win tonight, so proud of the guys," Coach Pearl said after the game. "Defensively, again two weeks in a row our defense stood up and really starting to show their stinginess on not giving up big plays and forcing turnovers. Offensively, Jamir made plays when he had to. Getting our first victory of the year. 1-0 in the conference — that's the biggest thing. Conference wins, that's what counts. We're all about competing to win a SIAC championship. We're going to enjoy this win and get ready for our next conference opponent."
DEFENSE SETS THE TONE AGAIN
For the second straight week, the Yellow Jackets' defense anchored the game. Bending but never breaking, they created pressure, forced turnovers, and consistently disrupted Lane's rhythm. Timely stops on third down and a few critical red zone stands kept Lane from ever stealing momentum.
The defensive unit led by Miquel Mason with a team high 8 tackles (4 solo, 4 assist)— already growing in reputation across the conference — continues to show flashes of being one of the most disciplined, hard-hitting, and assignment-sound defenses in the SIAC.
DISMUKES IN CONTROL, FLEMING AND LAWRENCE COME UP CLUTCH
Quarterback Jamir Dismukes, who continues to earn national recognition for his performances, once again proved why he's among the conference's top signal-callers. Calm under pressure and confident in the pocket, Dismukes was proficient connecting on 28-33 attempts (84% completion rate) for 257 yards in the air and 1 rushing touchdown making smart reads and big plays when it mattered most. Sophomore wide receiver Marcus Fleming came up big in key moments — moving the chains and igniting the crowd with clutch receptions finishing with 9 receptions for 81 yards. Fellow Sophomore Wide Receiver Nanders Lawrence also became one of the main targets with 8 receptions for 61 yards showing toughness and grit all night.
DUNCAN AND "DA VISION" RUN THE SHOW
Running back Fabian Duncan, fresh off a school-record performance last week, was once again a central figure — with game highs 27 rushes for 125 yards and 2 Touchdowns continuing to punish defenses behind an offensive line that's beginning to dominate up front.
That offensive line — known internally as "Da Vision" — continues to create opportunities on the ground and time for Dismukes in the air. The chemistry and cohesion of this group are becoming a cornerstone of the team's identity.
A PROGRAM TURNING THE CORNER
There's a different energy around Allen football this year — one rooted in culture, belief, and expectation. The sting of the season-opening losses has clearly been replaced with determination, and now with momentum.
The trenches are battling. The defense is locked in. The skill players are making plays. And Coach Pearl's voice is being echoed across every unit.
This wasn't just a win. It was a statement.
WHAT'S NEXT?
The Yellow Jackets now turn their attention to their next conference opponent, aiming to stack another crucial SIAC win and continue building their case as one of the top teams in the league this year.
For a team with championship aspirations — this was the kind of night that builds belief.
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ABOUT THE SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE (SIAC)
The SIAC is a NCAA athletic conference consisting primarily of historically black colleges and universities with headquarters in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The SIAC includes 15 member institutions (Albany State University, Allen University, Benedict College, Central State University, Clark Atlanta University, Edward Waters University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Lane College, LeMoyne-Owen College, Miles College, Morehouse College, Savannah State University, Spring Hill College, and Tuskegee University), which are located within a contiguous seven-state footprint (Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Tennessee and Ohio). The SIAC sponsors nine men's and seven women's sports and is a proud member of the NCAA Division II. For more information, visit
www.thesiac.com.