Allen University dished out a big plate of smothered Ls, beating Clark Atlanta in a shootout 49-38 over in Columbia, SC. The win was the second consecutive home win against the Panthers.
Fabian Duncan surpassed his 2024 rushing totals in just the fourth game of the year. The sophomore from Charlotte rushed for a game-high 229 yards on 46 attempts. Duncan gave the Yellowjackets a 7-0 lead early in the first with a 42-yard romp on his third carry of the game.
Clark Atlanta responded with a 70-yard drive and a touchdown. The response came at a great cost. Starting quarterback Zy McDonald took a hard hit on his shoulder as he crossed the goal line.
The teams traded the lead through the first half. Jamir Dukes put the Jackets up two scores with a pair of touchdown passes. The SIAC’s leading passer hit Calvin Parker in stride on a skinny post at the 38-yard line. Parker did the rest, racing down the sideline and into the end zone, but not before putting defensive back Jaikob Douglas in the blender. He lofted his second touchdown pass under duress but right into the hands of Javis Floyd to end the half.
Halftime gave the Panthers new energy on both sides of the ball. After giving up 273 yards and four touchdowns, the Panthers’ defense held the Jackets to 33 yards while the offense rallied. True freshman Xzavier Jackson found his groove, adding a second passing touchdown in the Panthers’ first possession of the second half. He gave the Panthers their second lead of the game with an 8-yard strike to Armone Harris.
Dukes’ 11-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter capped the bombardment of touchdowns and sealed the win for Allen. The Jackets improve to 2-0 in the conference, while the Panthers fall to 1-1.
Things don’t get easier for the Panthers as undefeated Benedict (2-0, 3-0) comes to town. The Tigers unloaded on Tuskegee in the Thursday night game. Allen goes on the road to face Albany State (1-0, 2-1). The Golden Rams’ only loss came at the hands of Florida A&M on the road in week 3.