Fulton, MO - The Lyon College football team fell behind early and could not overcome a 28-point first quarter as the Scots dropped a 35-17 decision to Westminster College Saturday night. With the loss, Lyon moves to 1-3 on the season.
Westminster struck first after an early Lyon interception, turning the turnover into an 11-yard touchdown pass with 12:13 remaining in the opening quarter. The Blue Jays added a second score less than two minutes later on an 89-yard touchdown run, pushing the lead to 14-0.
The Blue Jays continued their fast start, adding a 20-yard touchdown pass with 3:43 left in the quarter before scoring again on a 15-yard touchdown run with 1:23 remaining. Westminster took a 28-0 lead into the second quarter.
Lyon's offense settled in during the second quarter, putting together its longest scoring drive of the first half. The Scots marched 71 yards on 17 plays, controlling the ball for 5:53 before Jesus Romero-Castillo converted a 21-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining in the half. Lyon entered halftime trailing 28-3.
Westminster added to its advantage midway through the third quarter with a 32-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 35-3 with 4:37 remaining in the period.
The Scots responded with a strong offensive drive of their own. Malaki Lockhart connected with Javarion Williams for a 56-yard gain to move Lyon deep into Westminster territory, and the two connected again for a six-yard touchdown with 1:02 remaining in the third quarter. Romero-Castillo's extra point made the score 35-10.
Lyon carried that momentum into the fourth quarter. Starting from its own 2-yard line, the Scots put together a 98-yard touchdown drive that lasted 3:43. Lockhart connected with Jace Birkes for a 37-yard gain during the drive before finding Birkes again for a 25-yard touchdown with 10:38 remaining. Romero-Castillo added the extra point to cut the deficit to 35-17.
Lyon's defense kept Westminster off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game, forcing the Blue Jays to punt on their first two fourth-quarter possessions. The Scots were unable to generate another scoring drive before the final whistle.
Lockhart completed 21-of-39 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Williams led the Scots' receiving attack with 11 catches for 151 yards and a touchdown, while Birkes added four receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, Tky Posey carried 13 times for 60 yards, while Hayden Barton added 44 yards on six attempts. Lockhart finished with 12 rushing yards.
The Scots finished with 387 yards of total offense, including 271 passing yards and 116 rushing yards. Lyon recorded 17 first downs and converted 5-of-15 third-down opportunities.
Defensively, Noah Benton led the Scots with nine total tackles, while William Littell added eight. Jaden Foster and Kartez Simon each recorded five tackles, with Foster also recording 2.5 tackles for loss.
