LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (October 21, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania football team will play its final road game of its return season against Virginia State University Saturday afternoon at Rogers Stadium in Petersburg beginning at 1:00 p.m. (GAME NOTES)
The game can be heard live on www.brandywineradio.com with John Schaeffer calling of the action beginning at 1:15 p.m. with the pre-game show.
The Lions (1-7 overall) lost to Elizabeth City State University, 70-6, last week while Virginia State (4-4, 3-3) surprised Virginia Union, 14-7 in Richmond. This will be the first meeting since 1945 between the Lions and Trojans. Virginia State has never lost to Lincoln in football, compiling a 4-0 record. The Trojans defeated Lincoln, 27-6, in the team's last meeting.
Lincoln's top players have been sophomore wide receiver and health science major Trey Thomas (Canton, GA/Woodstock) (Canton, GA/Woodstock) and sophomore wide receiver and health science major Shawn Bethea (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway HS) (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway). The duo has combined for 71 catches 689 yards and five touchdowns. Bethea has caught 17 passes this month to lead the Lions. Bethea scored Lincoln's lone touchdown last week against Elizabeth City State, a 5-yard grab on the final play of the first half. Freshman running back and business management major D'Ante Smith (Bowie. Md./Riverdale Baptist HS) (Bowie, MD/Riverdale Baptist) leads Lincoln with 618 all-purpose yards.
Defensively, freshman linebacker and business major Bruce-Lee Sterile (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach) leads Lincoln with 78 tackles. Sophomore linebacker and environmental science major Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester City) is second with 71 tackles. Against ECSU, Lincoln had four players finish with at least 10 tackles, highlighted by 12 tackles each from freshman and mass communications major Anthony Bell (Atlanta, GA/Lithonia) (Atlanta, GA/Lithonia) and freshman Gerald Foster (Temple Hills, MD).
Virginia State is looking to run its winning streak to three games. The Trojans are the least penalized team in the CIAA (47 penalties). Virginia State features the CIAA's leading rusher in Taron Hampton (173 carries, 1,002 yards). Hampton, who was named conference rookie of the week, is the only running back in the CIAA with 1,000 yards rushing. In addition, the Trojans also feature the leading receiver in the CIAA in Brian Berry, who has 59 catches for 615 yards. Berry is third in the CIAA in receiving yards per game (76.9). The Trojans are also an impressive, 2-1, in games decided by a touchdown or less. In an odd statistic, VSU has been outscored in three of the four quarters, but yet it has a winning record.
Brian Berry's 32-yard touchdown run in the third quarter was the difference as Virginia State upset rival Virginia Union, 14-7 last week. The visiting Trojans rushed for 266 yards with Taron Hampton getting 196 yards on 33 carries. Berry also caught five passes for 40 yards. After allowing a Va. Union touchdown on its first drive of 91 yards, the Va. State defense permitted the Panthers 174 yards over the rest of the game. Virginia State overcame three turnovers.
Both teams conclude their 2008 season next week. Lincoln hosts Saint Paul's College beginning at 1:00 p.m. and Virginia State visits Bowie State for a 1:30 p.m. start.
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