WEST GROVE, PA. (November 1, 2008) – Lincoln University's 23-20 season-ending football defeat to Saint Paul's College at Avon Grove High School Saturday afternoon could be the start of something big in 2009. (BOXSCORE)
The Lions saw their rally from a 17-point third quarter deficit come up three points short. Despite the tough defeat, Lincoln's effort was a sight to behold. There were plenty of positives from this performance that the Lions can take into the off-season. Lincoln will return many of its players from its first football team since 1960. Lincoln may have finished 1-9 this season, but its players will return hungrier, stronger, determined and experienced.
Trailing, 23-6, after Saint Paul's College senior defensive back and criminal justice major Gregory Toler (Washington, D.C./Northwestern) recovered a blocked punt in the end zone with seven minutes, five seconds remaining; the Lions used a pair of big plays to get back into the game. As has been their character all season, the Lions did not quit. They continued to battle and their effort was rewarded.
Lincoln freshman running back and business management major D'Ante Smith (Bowie. Md./Riverdale Baptist HS) (Bowie, MD/Riverdale Baptist) caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from freshman wide receiver and physical education major Andre Crier (Lake Ridge, VA/Woodbridge) (Lake Ridge, VA/Woodbrigde) with 2:30 left in the third quarter to cut the Tigers' advantage to 23-14. Crier then turned a short reception into a 45-yard touchdown on the opening play of the final quarter to bring the Lions to within, 23-20 with 14:50 remaining.
Lincoln received the ball three times in the final quarter with an opportunity to take the lead, but it could not advance further than the Saint Paul's 48-yard line. Smith got Lincoln on the board when he sprinted 17-yards for the opening score and a 6-0 advantage with 2:43 remaining in the first quarter. It was the second time this season Lincoln scored first.
Overall for the Lions, running back and physical education major Trey Thomas (Canton, GA/Woodstock) (Canton, GA/Woodstock) led Lincoln with 72 yards rushing. Quarterback and physical education major Kareem Dennis (Philadelphia, PA/Lincoln) (Philadelphia, PA/Abraham Lincoln) was 18-for-31 with 155 yards.
Crier completed both of his passes and Smith led Lincoln with nine catches. Crier's catch was a career-best. Smith's nine catches were a career-high.
Crier, Smith and Thomas are all explosive packages of elusiveness, electricity, elegance and excitement. During the season, they proved to be scoring threats each time they touched ball. More importantly for Lincoln fans, all three players are expected to return next season.
Six different Lions had fumble recoveries: sophomore linebacker and business major Daron Jones (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons HS) (Baltimore, MD/Cardinal Gibbons), freshman linebacker and computer science major Deano Buycks (Euclid, OH/Euclid) (Euclid, OH/Euclid), sophomore defensive back and health science major Chris Richards (Philadelphia, PA/Penn Wood), sophomore defensive back and digital media music major Carlos Velasquez (North Hills, CA/San Fernando) (North Hills, CA/San Fernando), freshman offensive lineman and biology major Jordan Jones (Miami, Fla./North Miami Beach HS) (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach) and freshman defensive end and health science major Justin James (Philadelphia, PA/Roxborough) (Philadelphia, PA/Roxborough).
Freshman business major Bruce-Lee Sterile (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach) led Lincoln with eight tackles. Sophomore linebacker and environmental science major Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) (Glocuester City, NJ/Gloucester City) added seven tackles for the Lions. Sterile and McElwee were always around the ball this season.
Lincoln's defense permitted Saint Paul's to gain 70 yards in the second half. Daron Jones (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons HS) produced Lincoln's only sack of the game.
Meanwhile, Saint Paul's College (5-5 overall, 3-4 CIAA) was able to ride the arm of sophomore quarterback and business major Jaren Troutman (Nashville, TN/Cumberland College) along with a pair of huge special team scoring plays to finish with a .500 record for the second consecutive year.
Troutman fired touchdown tosses of 10 and 23 yards to sophomore wide receiver Emory Addison (Miami, FL/American Academy) and senior tight end and general studies major Floyd Carey (Norfolk, VA/Booker T. Washington), respectively, in the second quarter to help Saint Paul's take a 16-6 halftime advantage. Troutman finished 10-for-13 with 95 yards. Freshman running back Nicholas Bethea (Columbia, SC/Dreher) led Saint Paul's with 96 yards.
Defensively, sophomore defensive lineman Jarvis Stokes (Ft. Lauderdale, FL/Plantation) of Saint Paul's led everybody with nine tackles. He also recorded the only sack of the game for the Tigers.
The inside story of the return of Lincoln University football team will be told nationally on the ESPN2 show “NFL Films Presents.” The show will air Tuesday November 4 at 1:30 a.m. and Wednesday November 5 at 2:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
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