Yellow Jackets end season with loss at Edward Waters

JACKSONVILLE, F.L. — In their final game of the 2024 season, the Allen University football team was defeated Saturday afternoon by Edward Waters in the AME Classic, 33-28.

Ultimately, the season finale came down to the final moments between the two rivals. With just over one minute remaining, Allen had possession at the EWU 22-yard line and held a  28-26 advantage. However, as quarterback Jamir Dismukes rolled out of the pocket and ran towards the right side, a fumble was forced and recovered by the Tigers. As 60 seconds were left to play, Edward Waters was able to manage the clock with all three timeouts remaining, and ran a seven-play drive that covered 93 yards and was capped-off by a 22-yard go-ahead touchdown pass. With 27 seconds to go, Edward Waters took the lead, 33-28.

Down to their final possession, Allen ran a quick pass play over the middle to Nanders Lawrence and the sophomore wideout picked up 32 yards to the EWU 43-yard line. Yet, it would be the final moment of success for the Yellow Jackets as Dismukes threw an interception on the next play to end Allen’s hope of a comeback.

For the afternoon, Dismukes had one of his best games of the season as the first-year Yellow Jacket completed 17-of-21 passes for 349 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. He also picked up 51 rushing yards and added a 10-yard touchdown on the ground.

In his final game in an Allen uniform, wide receiver Montrell White led the team with a 173-yard performance that was highlighted by a 40-yard touchdown grab.

The Yellow Jackets found the endzone four total times Saturday and that started in the first quarter, as Lawrence had a 1-yard touchdown catch to tie the game, 7-7. After getting his the first start of his collegiate career, freshman running back Jaemias Morrow punched it in from three-yards out in the second quarter for his first score of the season. The aforementioned Dismukes’ rushing score came in the third to trim EWU’s lead to two points, and White’s touchdown catch came with 12:46 to play in the fourth quarter to push Allen in front, 28-26.

Defensivley, Andre Phillips and Kirkland Boone co-led the Yellow Jackets with nine tackles each. Phillips and Boone were joined by Osirus Rhodes, Sharrod Simmon, Jayshawn Smalls, and Keishawn Mashburn who each recorded at least one tackle for loss in Saturday’s effort.

On special teams, Sam Herman was a perfect four-for-four on extra-point attempts and finished his first season in the blue and gold by making 27-of-32 PAT tries.

Allen finishes their first season under head coach Cedric Pearl with a (2-8) overall record and a (1-7) mark in SIAC play.