WEST GROVE, Pa. — Following the kick, several Lincoln players dropped the turf in disbelief, spent emotionally and physically, seemingly wondering, “Did that just happen?”

With an ailing offensive line and reserve quarterbacks, the LU football team (1-8, 0-6 CIAA) had overcome a second-half deficit and taken the lead only to see Saint Paul's College prevail in overtime, 16-13, on 44-yard field goal by Preston McCarthy, spoiling a brilliant defensive effort.

Playing in its Homecoming game, the defense limited the Tigers (2-7, 2-4 CIAA) to just 47 yards of total offense, a school record. The previous record was 81 yards, set against Cheyney on Sep. 5 in the season opener. Linebacker trio Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS), Daron Jones (Baltimore, Md./Cardinal Gibbons HS) and Brucelee Sterile (Miami, Fla./North Miami Beach HS) led the way in punishing fashion.

McElwee recorded 15 tackles, the fourth time in his career and first time in 2010 he's done so. He had six tackles for losses totaling 37 yards including a sack of seven yards. Jones had a personal-best seven stops including two for a loss. Sterile had nine tackles including two sacks and four tackles for loss combining for an unbelievable -65 yards. He also added a blocked extra point that kept the game tied and allowed for overtime.

Along the defensive front, sophomore defensive end Tim Green (Fanwood, N.J./Scotch Plains-Fanwood HS) recorded seven tackles and added another sack, bringing his season total to a team-high five.

In total, the Lions wrapped up Saint Paul's 19 times behind the line of scrimmage for -163 yards. The Tigers finished with 21 rushing yards.

Equally impressive, the secondary limited quarterbacks Jay Kenney and Steffen Miller-Colon to a combined 4-of-16 afternoon for 26 yards.

After being shut out in the game's first three quarters, LU tied the game at 7-7 three minutes into the fourth quarter on a seven-yard touchdown pass from Oxford High graduate Aaron Thomas (Oxford, Pa./Oxford Area HS) to Matthew Coston (Queens, N.Y./Dover HS).

Coston led Lincoln in receiving with three catches for 49 yards including one grab going for 31 yards in the second quarter.

Minutes later, Gerald Foster (P.G. County, Md./Oxon Hill HS) sent the near-capacity crowd into frenzy by returning an interception 53 yards for at touchdown, giving LU a 13-7 edge with 8:41 to go. It was Foster's second pick of the year giving the junior safety seven overall. He had four in 2009.

Saint Paul's rallied for the tying score. On their next drive, Albert Tinsley rushed 6-yards for a touchdown, but the Tigers were called for unsportsmanlike conduct following the score. With SPC bumped back 15 additional yards and LU needing to block the PAT, Sterile did just that, soaring from the back row to knock down McCarthy's boot.

Lincoln, though, would attempt to keep the game out of overtime. With 1:30 to go, Domonic Wright (New Hempstead, NY/St. Joe's Regional) lined up a 35 yarder for the team's first field goal attempt of the season only to see it blocked by an interior lineman.

In the extra session, Lincoln's drive ended when sophomore Steven Torres (Yonkers, N.Y./Gorton HS)' pass was picked off on first down. Although Lincoln's defense actually dropped the Tigers back two yards, McCarthy's field goal split the uprights easily, ending the game.

Offensively, both team struggled. Lincoln outgained Saint Paul's 147-47, but turned the ball over seven times. The Tigers' turned the ball over four times including three times on fumbles and once on the interception, which Foster returned to the end zone.

UP NEXT

Lincoln concludes 2010 with Senior Day next Saturday at 1 p.m. versus Elizabeth City State. Lincoln's nine upper classmen will be honored prior to their kickoff for their contributions in orange and blue.

— LU —