LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. -  Lincoln scored three early touchdowns but Alderson Broaddus battled back outscoring the Lions 28-3 the rest of the way for a 28-24 road victory on Saturday, September 19^th at LU Stadium.
 
Lincoln got off to a quick start in their 2015 home opener. Quarterback Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) and wide receiver Brandon Rowe (Harlem, NY/Hudson Valley CC) hooked up for a 39 yard pass completion on the opening play against the Battlers. McKenzie later found wide out Emmanuel Saint-Jean (Silver Spring, MD/John F. Kennedy HS) on a 17-yard completion setting up a Lions red zone opportunity. Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) capped the eight play drive for 75 yards on a three yard rushing touchdown at the 10:59 mark. The point-after-attempt was good by kicker Brett Arkelian (Clovis, CA) as Lincoln led early 7-0.
 
On the ensuing kickoff Alderson Broaddus failed to receive the kick and the Lions recovered a free ball in Battlers territory. Defensive back Brion Robinson (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook HS) recovered the loose ball giving the LU offense possession. Scott then took four straight carries and found the end zone from 11 yards out for his second touchdown of the game. Alderson Broaddus' slow start sparked the Lincoln crowd at home early in the contest.
 
On the Battlers opening possession on offense, the Lincoln defense forced an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Brion Robinson (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook HS) extended the LU advantage to 21-0 by picking off the quarterback and returning the interception for a 30 yard touchdown with 8:52 to play in the opening quarter. The defensive pressure continued on the next drive with defensive back Marc Price (Philadelphia, PA/Charles Carroll HS)'s interception. LU's defense forced two first quarter turnovers and the offense put up a pair of rushing touchdowns.
 
Alderson Broaddus capitalized on their third drive finding the end zone for a 21-7 contest. At the beginning of the second quarter ABU tacked on another passing touchdown cutting into the LU lead 21-14. Lincoln's offense had a difficult time after their fast start. They were unable to pick up first downs in the second quarter and were held to five consecutive punts.
 
ABU's kicker Jordan Butler converted on a 25-yard made field goal making the game 21-17 with 9:05 left in the second quarter. The Battlers held the Lions offense to 14 second quarter yards while they gained 167 yards and scored 10 unanswered points. Despite the offensive struggle Lincoln remained in the lead 21-17 at halftime.
 
In the third quarter, Lincoln converted on a career-long 41-yard made field goal by Brett Arkelian (Clovis, CA). The Lions held a 24-17 lead with 8:04 in the quarter capping an 11 play 47 yard drive. Both teams traded field positions for the remainder of the quarter until ABU made a 30-yard field goal with 17 seconds left. The field goal made the game 24-20 heading into the final quarter.
 
The Lions gave up 112 rushing yards in the fourth quarter and allowed the Battlers to go a perfect 5-for-5 on third down conversions. Lincoln's defense stopped the Battlers in a goal line stance by forcing a fumble and recording the recovery. Marc Price (Philadelphia, PA/Charles Carroll HS) forced the fumble while defensive back Tony Jones, Jr. (Baltimore, MD/Victor Valley College) recovered the ABU fumble on the LU 1-yard line. The Lions were holding on to their slim advantage but a poor snap on a punt was recorded as a safety for the Battlers making the contest 24-22. LU remained in the lead for about two minutes after as Alderson Broaddus rushed for a 13-yard touchdown taking a 28-24 lead with 4:26 left in regulation.
 
Lincoln trailed for the first time all game but still had an opportunity to come away with the win. The Lions took over on their own 25-yard line but failed to prosper. Alderson Broaddus' defense sacked McKenzie and the fumble was recovered by the Battlers defense with 3:38 left to play. A steady running attack by ABU sealed their come from behind road victory as the final clock ran out. The Battlers held on for their 28-24 victory giving the Lions their first loss of the season.
 
Linebackers Wadel Louis (Miami, FL/North Miami Beach HS) and Rhamir Thomas (Washington, PA/Youngstown State University) led the Lincoln defense in tackles. Louis had a team-high 13 stops while Thomas added 11 tackles. Defensive lineman Mikael Mays (Garden City, GA/Groves HS) had eight tackles including seven solo stops and one sack. James Thomas (Los Angeles, CA/Oaks Christian Academy), Brion Robinson (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook HS), and Marc Price (Philadelphia, PA/Charles Carroll HS) all had interceptions while Tony Jones, Jr. (Baltimore, MD/Victor Valley College) recovered a fumble.
 
Quarterback Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) completed 9-of-18 pass attempts for 103 total yards. He found five different receivers led by Brandon Rowe (Harlem, NY/Hudson Valley CC)'s two catches for 45 yards. Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) rushed for only 45 yards but found the end zone twice.
 
The Lions fall to 2-1 and the Battlers move to 3-0. Lincoln will host Shaw University as they open CIAA play on Saturday, September 26^th at LU Stadium.