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Lincoln University Athletics

Scoreboard

Jairon Bailey blocks for Kwaheem Smith
Bill Rudick

Football Taron Jordan, For Lincoln Athletics

Smith records three picks in Senior Day loss

Box Score

WEST GROVE, Pa. — Lincoln could not send its eight seniors out on top, losing, 36-6, Saturday versus Elizabeth City State University. The Lions were shut out for three quarters as they could not put to use a career day by Kwaheem Smith (Trenton, NJ/Trenton Catholic) at Avon Grove High School.

Smith compiled a program-record three interceptions, three tackles and a pass breakup. Brandon McElwee (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester City Junior and Senior HS) continued his stellar play to end the season as he put up 11 tackles, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble.

The score doesn't do justice for the Lions defense as they held the Vikings 14 total yards and scoreless in the second half.

Although Matthew Coston (Queens, N.Y./Dover HS) was limited to three catches for 52 yards, that was enough to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark for his career. He reached the plateau on a beautiful 43-yard seam pattern thrown by quarterback Laquan Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./John Bartram HS). For the season, Coston set new career highs in catches (41), yards (633) and touchdowns(six). Through two seasons, the speedster has 1,013 yards, 10 touchdowns and 70 receptions.

The Dover-native set the single-season record in receiving yards (633), besting the 622 set by Trey Thomas (Canton, GA/Woodstock) in 2009. Coston should break the school record for career receiving yards, needing just 73 yards to surpass the 1,086 Thomas amassed in 2007 and 2008.

Williams' return back to the lineup was earlier than many expected. Only three weeks ago, the sophomore signal caller was told that he would be rehabbing a separated shoulder for eight months. But to the surprise of many, he pulled a Brett Favre-esque move and returned to the field.

It was not one of his best games of the season.  Williams did score on a one yard keeper to break up the shutout being pitched by the Vikings defense. Williams finished the day 15 for 39 for 108 yards and three interceptions.

Elizabeth City, meanwhile, was coming off a Homecoming victory against Chowan in which DaRonte McNeil accrued a school-record 290 rushing yards. Lincoln kept him in check with 80 yards on 21 carries.

The Vikings found many different ways to score, as they did it early and often. Billy Wiggins took the opening kickoff back 75 yards for the score. A minute later Creven Powell connected with Dexter Manley for a 48 yard score after a Williams interception on LU's first play from scrimmage. Nigel Rios took a high snap on a field goal try in for a six-yard score with four minutes remaining in the opening quarter. The Vikings tacked on two more scores to close out the first half.   

The defense did settle in. The Lions entered the day ranked No. 18 in the country in total defense, allowing 271 yards. Saturday, they matched it, surrendering 270, with just 14 of those yards coming in the second half.

The Lions will take the positives from this disappointing season and use them to build for the 2011 season.  The Lions return a strong core that will be look onto to continue to bring back the prominence the football team held in the past.    

— LU —

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