JEFFERSON CITY, MO  —  The Missouri S&T Miners steamrolled Lincoln University on Saturday, defeating Blue 59-0. S&T set a new program record for punt blocks in a game

The Miners grabbed the lead early, with Gage Hershberger (Mountain Home, AR/Mountain Home) breaking a 20-yard run for a touchdown in the first drive of the game. They would add to it later in the quarter when Jake Farrell (Scottsdale, AZ/Notre Dame Prep) found Sam Ryan (Columbia, MO/Father Tolton) for a 14-yard touchdown.

The S&T defense forced a three-and-out in the following Lincoln drive, leading to a blocked punt by Kayden Uhlmeyer (Troy, MO/Troy Buchanan) that was recovered by Brennen Taranto (Weston, FL/Western). They looked in prime position to make it a three possession game following the block, getting into the redzone before a pass towards the front right pylon by Farrell was picked off by Lincoln's Leroy Tellis.

The Blue Tigers mustered a first down in the next possession by couldn't get to half field, punting from their own 30 where the Miners had their second blocked punt of the day, leading to a scoop and score touchdown for Kian Shafe (Kansas City, MO/Park HIll).

The Miner defense continued to dominate Lincoln, only giving up two first downs the rest of the half and picking off LU's Jaylen Thomas twice in the quarter. S&T would add a field goal and two touchdowns in the remainder of the quarter, getting scores on a 6-yard reception from Justis Braden (Liberty, MO/Liberty North) and a 47-yard run by Evan Wells (Roxana, IL/Roxana).

The Miners went back to work early in the second half, forcing another three-and-out to set up a 57-yard drive that resulted in another receiving touchdown for Braden. Max Barnes (Overland Park, KS/Blue Valley Northwest) picked off Lincoln a few plays later, returning the pick for a touchdown that would be called back due to a penalty.

Farrell would throw the final touchdown pass of his collegiate career a couple of drives later, finding K'Vion Bills (Country Club Hills, IL/Hillcrest) on a short route over the middle that he took 38 yards for the score. Lincoln looked content to run the clock out in the fourth quarter, but S&T still added one more touchdown after their third blocked punt of the day was recovered in the end zone by Tyler Gioia (Huntington Beach, CA/Edison).

Shafe ended the day and his S&T career with a defensive hat trick; getting an interception, a fumble recovery, and returning a blocked punt for a touchdown.

Wells ran for 103 yards, making today his 4th game of the season with 100+ yards. He becomes the program's leader for rush yards in a season by a freshman with 732 yards.

The Miners end their season 6-5, giving them their first winning record since the 2021 season but their standing in the conference will not be determined until after next week's games while the Miners are on bye. Today's shutout was the team's first in four years and their first against Great Laked Valley Conference opponents since 2016.

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