LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (October 7, 2008) – The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania football team will play its second consecutive road game this week when it visits Virginia Union University Saturday afternoon at Hovey Field in Richmond starting at 1:00 p.m. (GAME NOTES)
The game can be heard live on www.brandywineradio.com with Ryan Messick calling all of the action. The pregame show begins at 12:45 p.m.
This will be the first meeting since 1960 between Lincoln and Virginia Union. The Panthers lead the all-time series, 21-10-1 and they currently enjoy a seven-game win streak in the series. Lincoln's last victory over Virginia Union was a 26-6 triumph in 1953.
Lincoln (1-5 overall) lost to Bowie State, 28-2, in the Fifth Annual Prince George's Classic last week. Virginia Union (4-2 overall, 2-1 conference) was shocked in overtime, 17-10, by Saint Paul's College. The Panthers were picked to finish first in the CIAA's Eastern Division this season.
The Lions defense forced two turnovers against Bowie State. The special teams recorded Lincoln's only points of the game. The Lincoln special teams have scored nine points this season. In addition to the safety against Bowie State, they scored a touchdown on a blocked punt against Southern Virginia. Lincoln did not allow a Bowie State first down until its fourth series of the game.
Lincoln freshman strong safety and business major Daron Jones (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons HS) (Baltimore, MD/Cardinal Gibbons) was named his team's MVP following the Prince George's Classic. Jones had a career-high 14 tackles. Lincoln's top tackler this season has been freshman linebacker and business major Bruce-Lee Sterile (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach).
Sterile leads Lincoln with 57 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 on the team with 50 tackles. Freshman defensive lineman and criminal justice major Joseph Billups (Philadelphia, PA/Glen Mills) (Philadelphia, PA/Glen Mills) has recorded a sack in each of Lincoln's last two games.
Offensively, Lincoln has been led by sophomore wide receiver and physical education major Trey Thomas (Canton, GA/Woodstock) (Canton, GA/Woodstock). He has 33 catches for 379 yards. Thomas and freshman running back and business management major D'Ante Smith (Bowie. Md./Riverdale Baptist HS) (Bowie, MD/Riverdale Baptist) have combined for 946 all-purpose yards. Junior wide receiver Shawn Bethea (Piscataway, N.J./Piscataway HS) (Piscataway, NJ/Piscataway) caught five passes against Bowie State.
After opening the season with a 14-11 loss to East Stroudsburg, Virginia Union had won four straight before falling to Saint Paul's last week. The Panthers rank near the top of the CIAA in several categories: scoring defense (1st, 14.8 ppg.), rushing offense (1st, 208.2), total defense (2nd, 227.0), total offense (3rd, 344.3), rushing defense (3rd, 91.5) and fourth in scoring offense (4th, 29.3).
Virginia Union has forced 18 turnovers this season. Offensively, Harlon Hill candidate Lamar Little pilots Virginia Union's attack. The Harlon Hill Award is the Division II version of the Heisman Trophy. Little has thrown 10 touchdown passes and he leads the CIAA in total yardage per game (145.0). When Little isn't throwing to wide receivers Terence Cunningham (17 catches, 266 yards) and Phillip Taylor (16-265), he is handing the ball off to running back Tarian Donaldson, who is second in the CIAA in rushing (120.3 per game).
Defensively, the Panthers have been led by Hurley Hemphill's 45 tackles. Andre LeBlanc is second on the team with 36 tackles. Brandon Smith leads Virginia Union with 10 tackles for losses and five sacks. Overall, Virginia Union has 17 sacks. The Panthers have also outscored their opponents, 70-17, in the first quarter.
Both teams will host Homecoming football contests on Saturday October 18. Lincoln hosts Elizabeth City State next week at 1:00 p.m. Meanwhile, finishes its three-game home stand with a game against Virginia State starting at 12:05 p.m.
--LU--
