SAVANNAH, Ga. – It was homecoming for the Savannah State Tigers, but it was the Lane Dragons who left Georgia with their second straight overtime win over SSU.
Lane wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Rashad Wilson took the opening play from scrimmage 69 yards for a touchdown.
Savannah State would tie the game up late in the second quarter on a 4-yard run from Demeke Colbert, making the halftime score 7-7.
The second half had more fireworks, starting with the Tigers scoring two straight touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 21-7 lead.
The Dragons defense would flex their muscle down the stretch and force two turnovers, leading to short fields for the Lane offense. Brandon Johnson intercepted a pass and returned it 39 yards to the SSU 16-yard line. Jerrick Gaston found Zarek Williams two plays later to bring the visitors to within one score.
Facing 3rd-and-15 in the fourth quarter, Savannah State quarterback Jhaydon Sullivan found Colbert for a first down but Kori Jones forced a fumble on the tackle and Robert Brown scooped up the loose ball and returned it 26 yards to give Lane great field position.
Three plays later, Kylan Duhe punched it in from 1-yard away and then took the two point conversion attempt into the end zone to tie the game.
Lane had the ball first in over time period and the hosts received a healthy dose of Ike Brown who rushed the ball five times for the Dragons in the extra period before carrying the ball in to score and give the Dragons the lead.
The Tigers would mount a scoring drive of their own, rushing four times and scoring a touchdown to bring SSU within an extra point of tying the game.
A second over time would not be needed as Jimmy Mal’s extra point attempt was pushed right, giving Lane the win, 28-27.
Devon Irving was a force on defense all afternoon. The junior from Atlanta, Ga. finished with 12.0 tackles and 2.0 tackles for loss.
Robert Brown had a game-high 3.5 tackles for loss including 2.5 sacks. Brown also added two fumble recoveries.
Lane will finish their home slate next Saturday when they host Edward Waters University. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 PM at Lane Field.
