LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — The Lincoln University football team travels to Elizabeth City State (4-3) for an important conference tilt in Elizabeth City, N.C. as LU's stout secondary takes on the CIAA's second best passing offense. GAME NOTES
The 1:30 p.m. matchup at Roebuck Stadium will be broadcast live on BrandywineRadio.com and is Homecoming for the Vikings.
Lincoln (3-4) enters the contest in search of its fourth win, which would be the most the program has had since a 4-3-1 campaign in 1954. During that span, Lincoln had two two-win seasons (1957, 1959), four one-win seasons (1955, 1956, 1958, 2008) and a winless season (1960).
Against Virginia Union last weekend, the Lions lost, 35-6. In that game, Lincoln wide out Anthony Wilson (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington HS) (Philadelphia, Pa.) reeled in third touchdown grab of 2009 on a 55-yard touchdown strike from Brandon Austin (Greenville, N.C./Farmville Central) (Greenville, N.C.) with 1:13 remaining in the first half to bring the deficit to 21-6 heading into the intermission. Austin missed the previous three games with a strained hamstring. In his return, he went 3 of 10 for 79 yards with the touchdown. Austin split time with true freshman Laquan Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./John Bartram HS), who went 10 of 19 for 80 yards, and it was Williams who got his fourth start.
Gerald Foster (P.G. County, Md./Oxon Hill HS) (P.G. County, Md.) had two interceptions in the second quarter for the Lions, bringing his season total to a team-high. Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) (Miami, Fla.) had another two tackles for loss with a sack of six yards and a pass breakup.
Elizabeth City State lost last week to Bowie State when Terence Peete returned a 33-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown with 4:12 remaining to propel the Bulldogs to a 37-33 win at Roebuck Stadium.
In that game, the Viking quarterback Creven Powell threw for 314 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Elizabeth City State's passing attack is currently No. 2 in the CIAA with 216.9 yards per game.
Its greatest strength is also its greatest weakness, as the Vikings secondary ranks last in passing defense by surrendering 230 aerial yards per game.
Lincoln's pass defense has been much stouter. Although ECSU leads the conference in interceptions with 9 — two of which were returned for touchdowns — the Lions have 12 picks and allow just 173 yards in the air.
Following Saturday's action, Lincoln returns home to face Virginia State at 1 p.m. on Oct. 24 at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pa. The final home game of 2009, it will be Fall Sports Senior Day. Prior to the game, LU seniors in the fall sports will be honored for their achievements in the blue and orange.
— LU —
