FULTON, Miss. – Hiram Wadlington and De'Sean Dinkins each rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown, but the Indians could not overcome an early 21-point deficit in a 56-26 loss to No. 1 East Mississippi (3-0, 1-0 MACJC North) on Military Appreciation Night in Fulton.
Wadlington (Oxford) rushed for 103 yards and a score on 16 carries while Dinkins (Warner Robins, Ga.) added 101 yards and another touchdown on 11 carries. The Indians (1-2, 0-1 MACJC North) totaled a season-high 479 yards on offense.
After falling behind 21-3 by the end of the first quarter, the Indians mounted a rally to start the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal by Caleb Comer (Caledonia) and an 88-yard touchdown run by Dinkins to make it a 21-13 contest at the 4:59 mark of the second quarter.
Comer connected on a 19-yard field goal in the first quarter.
The Lions picked up a touchdown on a 1-yard run by Notre Dame transfer Deon McIntosh and tacked on a 4-yard scoring run from Vijay Miller after the Indians fumbled the ensuing kickoff to take a 35-13 lead into the break.
Wadlington scored on a 2-yard run and Jamel Thomas (Caledonia) hauled in a 35-yard pass for a touchdown in the third quarter before the Lions picked up the victory.
Clark Mills (Ecru) threw for 250 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions on 21 of 39 passing in his first ever collegiate start. Thomas hauled in 11 passes for 154 yards and a score.
Jamal Shumpert (Fulton) led the Indians' defense with 13 tackles (9 solo; 4 assists) with Dalton Combs (Nettleton) adding 10 tackles (8 solo; 2 assists) on the night. Cortez Davis (Flowery Branch, Ga.) had a pair of solo tackles and an interception returned for 18 yards. Keshun Parker (Calhoun City) recorded 8 tackles (6 solo; 2 assists) and returned a fumble 26 yards.
The Indians will look to rebound in Clarksdale on Thursday against Coahoma. The Tigers (0-3, 0-1 MACJC North) dropped a 20-18 decision to Northeast (1-2, 1-0 MACJC North) last week. The First American National Bank kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 with the Davis Ford Pregame Show starting at 6:30 on ESPN 95.1 FM the Fan and LetsGoICCTV.com/red.
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