Box Score
ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Lincoln's search for a fourth win will have to wait another week, as Elizabeth City State defended its home turf with a 54-18 win Saturday at Roebuck Stadium.
Trey Thomas (Canton, GA/Woodstock) (Canton, Ga./Woodstock) caught four passes for 70 yards and Laquan Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./John Bartram HS) (Philadelphia, PA/John Bartram) went 11-for-21, two touchdowns and 167 yards as the Lions dropped their third straight contest, falling to 3-5 on the year and 1-4 in the CIAA. Williams was also Lincoln's leading rusher with 52 yards.
Defensively, Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester) continued his monster season, racking up 15 tackles, forcing a fumble and blocking a punt that led resulted in a safety in the second quarter.
The loss stings, but in the first meeting between the two schools last year, ECSU spoiled Lincoln's Homecoming game by running away with a 70-6 victory. This year, Lincoln moved the ball down the field and accumulated 280 yards of total offense on the Vikings' Homecoming game.
In the first half, three Lion drives stalled from inside the ECSU 30 because of two interceptions and a fumble, resulting in a 27-2 deficit, LU's only points coming when McElwee blocked a Daniel Mendez punt with 2:33 remaining in the first half.
In the second half, Lincoln finished drives with points. Thomas scored on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Williams with 3:44 to play in the third quarter. Williams subsequently ran in the two-point conversion.
On Lincoln's subsequent drive, Williams connected with Kareem Dennis (Philadelphia, PA/Lincoln) (Philadelphia, PA/Lincoln) on a seam route from 30 yards out. It took Lincoln just three plays to traverse the 57 yards needed to find pay dirt. LU converted another two-point play when Philip Jean-Juste (Miami, Fla. /North Miami Beach HS) (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach) connected with Thomas. Unfortunately, the quick-strike capability came too late.
The Vikings first scored with 6:05 remaining when Dexter Manley caught a nine-yard pass from Crevan Powell. Four minutes into the second quarter, Daronte McNeil scampered in from four yards. After a Lincoln three-and-out, Reggie Smith had a 50-yard punt return for at touchdown, the first of two special teams touchdowns for the Vikings. Justin Hamilton ran back the ensuing kickoff following Lincoln's first touchdown.
Lincoln hosts its final home game next Saturday, a matchup with Virginia State. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Avon Grove High School in West Grove, Pa.
