LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – Lincoln's defense forced two turnovers that led to scores including a 68-yard touchdown on a fumble recovery by Tyahir Mitchell (Wilmington, DE/Howard HS) in a heart-breaking, 27-26 loss to Elizabeth City State on Saturday, October 18^th.

Last season, the Lions suffered a 56-14 loss to the Vikings on the road. With revenge on their mind, the Lions scored on two ECSU turnovers and rushed for a season-best 168 total yards on their Homecoming.

Elizabeth City State led 13-0 after the first quarter of play behind two rushing touchdowns. Rushing attempts from 13-yards and 2-yards out shifted the early momentum towards the visiting Vikings. Defense sparked the Lions on Homecoming in the second quarter when sophomore linebacker Wadel Louis (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach HS) intercepted the Vikings' offense in their own endzone at the 12:37 mark. Lincoln cut into the Elizabeth City State lead, 13-6 and then tied the game with a 5-yard rushing touchdown by sophomore Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) with 3:22 left in the half. The teams were tied at halftime 13-13 after kickers from both teams missed PAT.

In the third quarter, the Vikings fumbled on their first drive at the Lincoln 32-yard line. Once again the Lions' defense shined when senior defensive back Tyahir Mitchell (Wilmington, DE/Howard HS) recovered the ECSU fumble and returned it 68-yards for a Lincoln touchdown.  The PAT was good by freshmen kicker Brett Arkelian (Clovis, CA) as the Lions took a 20-13 lead at the 12:35 mark.

The Vikings later tied the game, 20-20, with their third rushing touchdown from 1-yard out with 1:33 left to play in the third quarter setting the table for an exciting final quarter of play.

Junior quarterback Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) in his first start for the Lions put together a nine play-60 yard drive to put Lincoln ahead at the beginning of the fourth quarter. McKenzie and Scott hooked up for a 12-yard pass completion and then McKenzie found senior wide receiver Akeem Jordan (Washington, DC/Carroll HS) for additional 12-yards moving the Lions into Vikings territory. Lincoln used three consecutive rushes tallying 20-yards to setup the ECSU defense for a long pass attempt. McKenzie found Jordan in the back of the Vikings endzone for a spectacular 14-yard touchdown reception springing the Lions ahead, 26-20, with 13:15 left to play.

The Lions missed an important PAT kick but looked to their defense to hold the Vikings scoreless.

After three-and-outs by both teams, ECSU started their final drive with 8:51 left to play. The Vikings went 69-yards off of 14 plays and scored on a 2-yard rushing touchdown leaving 3:00 on the clock. The Vikings converted on their PAT and led, 27-26.

Lincoln's attempt at a game-winning drive fell short. McKenzie completed three passes moving the Lions into Vikings territory but an interception at the ECSU 5-yard line put an end to Lincoln's day. ECSU held on for a 27-26 CIAA Northern Divisional win moving to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in CIAA play. Lincoln drops to 1-6 overall and 0-4 in CIAA play.

Quarterback Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) was a dual-threat leading the Lions offense. McKenzie rushed for a career-high 95 yards on 18 attempts and completed six passes for 66-yards and a touchdown. Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) finished with 18 rushes averaging 4.6 yards per carry for 83 total yards and scored his second rushing touchdown of the season.

Wide receiver Akeem Jordan (Washington, DC/Carroll HS) finished with three receptions for 40-yards and caught his sixth touchdown of the season. Sophomore Larquise Hobbs (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton HS) had two catches for 14 yards and also returned three punts for a total of 39-yards including a Lions' season-best return of 36-yards in the second quarter.

Senior defensive back Elijah Douglas (Philadelphia, PA/George Washington HS) had a career-high 14 tackles anchoring the Lions defense. Tyahir Mitchell (Wilmington, DE/Howard HS) followed with 11 tackles and a 68-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown and senior linebacker Gavin Lampkin (Baltimore, Md./W.E.B. Dubois HS) finished with 10 tackles and two sacks.      
  
The Lions will hit the road in their next game on Saturday, October 25^th in Ettrick, VA in a CIAA Northern Divisional matchup with Virginia State University at 2 p.m.