Box Score
WEST GROVE, Pa. — Lincoln's offense continued to show promise, as quarterback Laquan Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./Bartram) threw for two long touchdown passes, highlighting Lincoln's afternoon in a 52-21 loss to Saint Augustine's College Saturday afternoon at Avon Grove High School.
The game itself was a milestone, marking the first home contest for the Lions as an active NCAA Division II member and the first time Lincoln scored 20 or more points in consecutive games since the reinstatement of the football program in 2008. Lincoln scored 31 last week in a loss to Virginia Union in Richmond, Va.
The Lions (1-3, 0-2 CIAA) found themselves trailing 21-0 until quarterback Laquan Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./John Bartram HS) hooked up with wide out Anthony Wilson (Philadelphia, Pa./George Washington) for a 45 yard touchdown strike, Wilson's first touchdown of the season and fourth of his career.
The Falcons (3-1, 2-0 CIAA) displayed why they have the top ground game in the conference. Led by running back Walter Sanders and quarterback Joaquin Green, the Falcons scored 24 consecutive points and would hold a 32-7 edge at halftime. Sanders entered as the top runner in the CIAA, averaging 116.7 yards per game, and he broke off several long runs, including Saint Augustine's first score on a 64-yard bruiser with less than three minutes left in the opening quarter.
Green hit wide out receiver Tyrone Laughinghouse on a short pass on the outside, but the big receiver broke a tackle and broke free down the sideline to begin the third quarter, essentially clinching the contest.
The defensive struggles were an abnormality for the Lions, which entered the game ranked No. 3 in the CIAA and No. 16 in the nation in total defense, allowing 252.67 yards per game.
Trailing 45-7, as Williams found Domonic Wright (New Hempstead, N.Y./Globe Institute of Technology) over three Falcon defenders for a 42-yard connection. It was Wright's first touchdown catch as a Lion, and Williams' fifth passing touchdown of the season.
Lincoln would eventually find the end zone once more but this time it would be on the ground as quarterback Aaron Thomas (Oxford, Pa./Oxford Area) scored on a quarterback sneak. Thomas, a local product, then found Marielll McGowan (Jeanette, Pa./Jeanette) on a swing pass on the two-point conversion for the final score 52-21.
Despite the shaky first half, LU's defense did settle down the remainder of the game, particularly the linebacker faction of sophomore Dameion Butler (Fair Field Calif.,/Sacramento City College) junior Brucelee Sterile (Miami, Fla./North Miami Beach HS) (Miami, Fla./North Miami Beach) and junior Daron Jones (Baltimore, Md./Robert Morris). These high flying defenders where catalyst behind the Lions defensive stops between them they racked up a multiple stops behind the Falcons' line of scrimmage and forced a fumble.
Overall, the LU defense forced three turnovers including the fumble forced by Jones that set up Lincoln's final score. In the first quarter, Robert McGrier (Philadelphia, Pa./Roxborugh) maintained good position and shielded Laughinghouse from the deep pass, coming down with the jump ball for his first career interception. In third quarter, McGrier's high school teammate defensive lineman Justin James (Philadelphia, Pa./Roxborough) sacked quarterback Teddy Bacote and recovered the ensuing fumble.
Up Next
As for now it would behoove the Lions to take this loss in stride. As they prepare for the much anticipated meeting with rival Howard University Bison on Oct. 2 at Greene Stadium.
The game marks LU's first Football Championship Subdivision (FCS, formerly I-AA) opponent, but the two institutions have historically been very familiar with one another. The Lions played their first game against the Bison, a 6-4 LU win in 1894. From 1907-1960, they met every year except in 1943. The series became deadlocked at 23-23-7 in the last meeting in 1960, as Howard won, 34-13. The Lincoln program disbanded following that season. LU won the 1959 meeting, 8-0 on Thanksgiving.
The game kicks off at 1 p.m.
