RICHMOND, Va. (October 11, 2008) – Freshman business management major D'Ante Smith (Bowie. Md./Riverdale Baptist HS) (Bowie, MD/Riverdale Baptist) caught his first career touchdown pass during the Lincoln University of Pennsylvania's 68-6 defeat to Virginia Union Saturday afternoon at Hovey Field in a football contest. (BOXSCORE)

With the victory, Virginia Union (5-2 overall, 3-1 in the CIAA) remained in contention for the Eastern Division championship with undefeated Elizabeth City State, who improved to 4-0 in the CIAA with a dramatic 29-28 come-from-behind victory over Bowie State. Meanwhile, Lincoln fell to 1-6 overall.

Lincoln sophomore wide receiver and health science major Shawn Bethea (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway HS) (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) and junior physical education major Trey Thomas (Canton, GA/Woodstock) (Canton, GA/Woodstock) led Lincoln with six catches each. Bethea finished with 58 yards including a 24-yard catch during Lincoln's only scoring drive of the game in the second quarter. Thomas' catches went for 41 yards. Junior quarterback and physical education major Kareem Dennis (Philadelphia, PA/Lincoln) (Philadelphia, PA/Abraham Lincoln) completed 14 passes for 122 yards.

For the second time this season, Lincoln's offensive line did not allow a sack. During Lincoln's scoring drive that covered seven plays, 64 yards and consumed 2:44, Dennis was 5-for-6 on the drive and he completed passes to three different receivers. Smith handled the ball four times during the Lions scoring drive (two rushes and two catches).

Defensively, sophomore linebacker and environmental science major Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester) and freshman business major Bruce-Lee Sterile finished with 10 tackles each to lead the Lions. Freshman linebacker Gerald Foster (Temple Hills, MD) had seven tackles and three sacks. Four of Foster's tackles were for losses. Freshman Robert McGrier (Philadelphia, Pa./Roxborough HS) (Philadelphia, PA/Roxborough) also recorded his first career interception.

Freshman punter and biology major Ameer Allen (Newark, NJ/Marist) had a career-long 50-yard punt.

Seven of Virginia Union's touchdowns covered 10 or more yards. The Panthers, picked to finish first in the CIAA Eastern Division, scored two defensive touchdowns and recorded a safety in the second half. Virginia Union quarterback Lamar Little, a Harlon Hill Trophy candidate, was 7-for-14 for 133 yards with a pair of first quarter touchdown tosses.

Virginia Union running back Patrick Mills finished with a game high 154 rushing yards and wide receiver Steven Miller caught three passes for 83 yards. Stevie Johnson finished with a game-high 11 tackles to lead Virginia Union. Niles Rainey returned an interception and a fumble for touchdowns in the third quarter. Oddly, both plays covered the same distance – 39 yards.

Lincoln returns to action Saturday afternoon when it hosts Elizabeth City State University in its Homecoming contest beginning at 1:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Virginia Union hosts Virginia State in its Homecoming contest starting at 12:05 p.m.

--LU--