LU Athletics
Kyle Taylor, Sports Information Director
LANGSTON – The first conference matchup in the Sooner Athletic Conference history was one to remember as the No. 14 ranked Langston Lions outlasted the Ottawa-Arizona Spirit 63-56 Saturday afternoon at W.E. Anderson Stadium.
Tied at 56-56, the Lions took control for good when Tim Whitfield barreled his way into the end zone on a one-yard score to put Langston up 63-56 with 22 seconds remaining. On the ensuing possession from the Spirit’s 35-yard line, the Lions defense stood tall allowing only five yards to end the game.
Collectively, the Lions amassed 584 yards of total offense with 288 coming courtesy of the ground attack. Whitfield answered the call the entire afternoon with 155 rushing yards on 19 carries and five rushing touchdowns. Langston quarterback Jaylen Lowe finished 28-of-42 with 296 passing yards and two touchdowns while tacking on 112 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Langston (1-0, 1-0 SAC) travels to Baton Rouge, La. to square off against Southern (La.) University at 6 p.m.