LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (August 27, 2008) – Players are pumped. The campus is buzzing. The coaching staff is hyped. The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania football team is about to play a game for the first time in 17,446 days, 572 months and 48 years when it hosts George Mason University Saturday afternoon at Avon Grove High School beginning at 1:00 p.m. The Lions last game was a 34-13 defeat to Howard on November 24, 1960. (GAME NOTES)
The game will be broadcast live over the Internet at www.brandywineradio.com beginning at 12:45 p.m. with Ryan Messick describing all of the action.
“The historical significance of the game, the first in 48 years, already make this game pretty special,” Lincoln coach O.J. Abanishe said. “We know that this game means so much to the University, alumni and community. Everybody's roaring to go. I expect that we will play hard, be well disciplined, play good solid fundamental football and have fun.”
While everybody will revel in all of the pomp and circumstance of the season opening game, Abanishe and his staff are burning the midnight oil to prepare for a George Mason team coming off a 2-7 season. Making that task a little more difficult is George Mason has a new coach in Joe Dyson. The Patriots have been playing football since 1993 and have won four Seaboard Conference championships (2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005). While all of George Mason's athletics programs are Division I, the football team is a club team.
“It is tough to prepare for George Mason because with a new head coach, we're not sure what they are going to do on offense or defense,” Abanishe said. “So we have to focus on what we do well and let the game come to us. I am sure the players are going to be hyped, but it'll be our job to help them control their excitement.”
George Mason averaged 17.9 points per game and 135.8 rushing yards per game last year. The Patriots top returning statistical leaders include quarterback Phillip Adams (6-3, 230, Sr.), running back Mike McCartin (6-1, 210, Jr.) and wide receiver Kory Hitchens (6-0, 175, Sr.). Adams threw for 616 yards and seven touchdowns. McCartin gained 177 yards on 38 carries (4.2 average), and Hitchens caught 21 passes for 251 yards and three yards. Sophomore Steve Shrank returns to lead the defense after having an outstanding freshman year in which he led George Mason with 60 tackles (34 solo) and three forced fumbles.
Lincoln will counter with some weapons of its own in junior quarterback Kareem Dennis (Philadelphia, PA/Lincoln) (Philadelphia, PA/Lincoln), junior running back Myles Fleming (Carlisle, PA/Carlisle) (Carlisle, PA/Carlise), junior offensive tackle Frank Lee (New Orleans, LA/Belle Chasse), sophomore defensive back Chris Richards (Philadelphia, PA/Penn Wood) and sophomore cornerback Elijah Gormes (Arlington, VA/Wakefield) (Arlington, VA/Wakefield).
The Lions and Patriots are meeting for the first time in school history. Lincoln is looking to use this game as a successful springboard to a strong season. Lincoln will play all of its home games at Avon Grove High School, which is six miles from campus. The Lions play their first away game next week when it travels to Southern Virginia in Buena Vista beginning at 6:00 p.m..
“We're going to do the things we have to do to be successful,” Abanishe said. “I know we'll play well and be disciplined. We're ready to get started.”
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