JACKSON, Tenn. – The Lane Dragons had an interception return for a touchdown and recovered a fumble that led to a touchdown to defeat the Benedict College Tigers 30-23 on Saturday afternoon at Lane Field.

Lane improves to 4-6 overall and 2-4 in the SIAC. Benedict falls to 1-8 overall and 1-5 in the SIAC.

The Tigers got on the board first, as Traviontae Brown intercepted a Tarik McKinzie pass and returned it 45 yards for a touchdown. Rigoberto Tinoco added the extra point to give Benedict a 7-0 lead with 7:51 to play in the first quarter. Lane's Anthony Evelyn returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards, and the Dragons capped off a short drive with a 37-yard field goal from Christian Reyes to make it 7-3 with 6:24 left in the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Jared Eubanks boomed a 46-yard punt that was downed at the Lane 6-yard line. McKenzie was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety for the Tigers and a 9-3 lead with 9:32 left in the first half. Benedict got the ball back, but Eric Phoenix was intercepted by DeMichael McQue, who returned the pick 21 yards for a touchdown. Reyes added the extra point to give the Dragons their first lead of the game, 10-9, with 7:52 remaining in the first half.

The Tigers marched on a nine-play, 75-yard drive, with Dyquan Bloodsaw wrapping up the drive with a 29-yard touchdown run to put Benedict back on top, 16-10, with 3:32 left in the first half.

The Dragons fumbled the ball, with Rashaad Miller recovering near midfield. But on the next play, Bloodsaw fumbled the ball back to the Dragons with just 36 seconds left in the half, and DeMichael McQue picked up the loose ball and returned it 26 yards. On third-and-14, Tarik McKinzie completed a 38-yard pass to Ahmad Isaac with no time left on the clock to give the Dragons a 17-16 lead at the half.

Lane added two more scores in the third quarter, as Reyes kicked a 34-yard field goal and Kingston Davis scored on a one-yard run, giving the Dragons a 27-16 lead heading to the final quarter. After an 11-yard Benedict punt, the Dragons got the ball at the Benedict 39-yard line. The Dragons moved the ball all the way to the 1-yard line, but the Tiger defense held and Lane had to settle for a 22-yard field goal by Reyes to make it 30-16 with 14:17 left in the game.

Benedict had its best drive of the game in the fourth quarter, going 85 yards on eight plays. The drive was kept alive on a 35-yard pass from Phillip Brown to Drelon Freeman on fourth down. Bloodsaw finished the drive with a nine-yard run to make it 30-23 with 7:45 left. Benedict had one more offensive series in the game, but the Tigers couldn't convert on a fourth-and-seven, and Lane took over and ran out the clock.

Bloodsaw finished with 96 yards on 18 carries and two touchdowns. Jayden McCloud added 51 yards on 12 carries. Brown and Phoenix shared time at quarterback, and combined to complete four passes on 17 attempts for 66 yards.

Dontavis Hunt and Rashaad Miller led the defense with eight tackles each.

Benedict will wrap up the 2019 season next Saturday with a home game against Kentucky State at 1 p.m.