CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. – Nick Wilson’s 70-yard kickoff return was the difference on Friday night as Tri defeated Lincoln 19-14.
Wilson’s Titans trailed 14-13 when he completed his run to the end zone with 7:46 remaining in the Tri-Eastern Conference affair.
The win puts the Titans at 3-0 overall and on top in the conference with the same mark. Lincoln 0-3, 0-1.
After a scoreless first half, both teams scored in the third quarter as it ended at 6-6.
Lincoln quarterback Nick Cupp found Chase Southerland 13-yard scoring pass with 5:42 left.
Tri signal caller Drew Mondrush had an 8-yard run moments later at 4:46 to tie the contest.
The Titans went on top 13-6 early in the final period as Mondrush hit Chris Blake with a pass from 1-yard with 11:57 to go. David O’Neill followed with the PAT kick.
The Golden Eagles grabbed the lead when Cupp scored on a 5-yard run at the 8:04 mark. He then ran for the 2-point conversion run to set the stage for Wilson’s winning return.
O’Neill reached the 100-yard plateau for the third time this season for the Titans as he rushed 105 yards in 16 carries. He now has 629 yards through three weeks.
Mondrush completed 4-of-11 passes for 88 yards. Eric Bilby had two catches for 44 yards.
Matt Fields gained 120 yards on the ground and Cupp added 68, while connecting on 8-of-17 passes for 78 yards. Southerland led Lincoln with three receptions for 43 yards.
The Titans visit Wes-Del for a non-conference contest next Friday. Lincoln travels to Centerville for a TEC game the same night.