Centenary College delivered a commanding 35-14 victory over Lyon College, led by quarterback Zin’Tavious Smith, who threw for 219 yards and four touchdowns. Lyon struck first with a five-yard touchdown run by Grayson Johnson, but Smith quickly answered with a 29-yard touchdown pass to Kobe Chambers and a 30-yard strike to Devin Ardoin, giving Centenary a 14-7 lead by halftime.
The third quarter was explosive for Centenary, as Smith connected with Byron Stewart for a massive 83-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 21-7. Ardoin added another score with an eight-yard catch later in the third quarter. Lyon fought back with a fourth-quarter one-yard touchdown run by Jaylin Babers, but Centenary’s defense sealed the game with a spectacular 32-yard interception return for a touchdown by Vance Feuerbacher, securing the 35-14 win.
Key Performances
- Zin’Tavious Smith was the star of the night, completing 10 of 14 passes for 219 yards and four touchdowns, making him the offensive catalyst. His deep connection with Byron Stewart for an 83-yard touchdown in the third quarter showcased his strong arm and the ability to stretch the field.
- Byron Stewart made a significant impact, hauling in two catches for 90 yards, with his 83-yard touchdown reception being the game’s highlight. Stewart’s speed and route running were too much for Lyon’s defense to handle.
- Devin Ardoin had an outstanding performance as well, catching four passes for 50 yards and two touchdowns. His versatility was on full display, contributing crucial plays in both the first and third quarters.
- On the defensive side, Vance Feuerbacher was a standout with his game-clinching interception return for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. He was instrumental in keeping Lyon’s passing attack in check, finishing the game with 13 total tackles and 1 interception return for 32 yards.
Defensive Dominance
Centenary’s defense limited Lyon to just 263 total yards, including only 131 yards through the air. Bryan Washington, Devon Strickland, and D’Qavion Lemons were vital contributors, combining for 18 tackles. Strickland added two tackles for loss, keeping Lyon’s running game in check. Lyon quarterback Joe Galay was held to just 88 passing yards, as Centenary’s secondary consistently shut down the passing lanes.
Lyon’s rushing attack was led by Jaylin Babers, who managed 81 yards on 20 carries, but Centenary’s defensive line, led by Lemons and Strickland, constantly applied pressure, allowing little room for Lyon’s offense to get into a rhythm.
Key Stats:
- Total Offense: Centenary outgained Lyon with 443 total yards compared to Lyon’s 263 yards.
- Time of Possession: Centenary controlled the clock effectively, maintaining a balanced attack throughout the game.
- Turnovers: Centenary’s defense forced two crucial interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, sealing the victory.
Looking Forward
The win improves Centenary’s record to 2-3 overall and 2-1 in conference play, building momentum as they head into the heart of the season. With Smith’s impressive performance and a defense that can stifle opposing offenses, Centenary looks poised to continue climbing the standings in their next matchups.
Coach Ben McLaughlin praised his team’s resilience after the game: “We knew Lyon would be tough, but our guys stayed focused. Zin’Tavious was tremendous, and our defense made the stops we needed. This is a big win for us, and we’ll look to build on this moving forward.”
Centenary will look to carry this momentum into their next game as they aim to continue their winning ways.
