ELLENWOOD, Ga. – The Clayton State Lakers won in impressive fashion Saturday with a commanding 24-9 victory over Talladega, fueled by a high-powered passing attack and a dominant defensive performance.

Quarterback Jeremiah Mallory led the way for the Lakers, completing 16 of 28 passes for 327 yards and three touchdowns. Mallory consistently stretched the field and delivered big plays when the offense needed them most.

The Lakers wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Mallory connected with Moxey on a 10-yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter to give Clayton State an early lead.

In the second quarter, the Lakers struck again through the air when Mallory found Jaylen Jackson for a 53-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 14-0. Dega U capitalized on a Lakers fumble late in the half and scored to trim the deficit to 14-7 heading into halftime.

Clayton State regained momentum in the third quarter behind the leg of kicker Michael Kraskouskas, who drilled a 32-yard field goal to push the lead to 17-7.

The Lakers sealed the victory in the fourth quarter when Mallory connected with Walton on a 47-yard touchdown strike, putting the game out of reach and securing the 24-9 win.

While the offense delivered explosive plays, the Lakers defense was the story of the night. Clayton State forced three turnovers and held Talladega to just 124 total yards of offense. The defense consistently controlled the line of scrimmage and limited scoring opportunities throughout the contest.

Gerald Brown III led the defensive effort with eight tackles, helping anchor a unit that set the tone from start to finish.

With a balanced offensive attack and a suffocating defensive performance, the Lakers showcased why they will be a team to watch this season. The victory moves CSU to 3-0 on the season and provides strong momentum as Clayton State looks ahead to conference play against home state rival Gordon State.

Story and photo courtesy Clayton State Football