Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif./Madera (West Hills)) threw three touchdown passes as the Lincoln University football team remained winless on the season with a 73-21 loss to nationally ranked Virginia State University Saturday afternoon at Lions Stadium.

The Lions fell to 0-8 on the season and 0-5 in Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) games. They are also 0-3 within the North division.  The Trojans of Virginia State, ranked 21^st in the AFCA Division II poll, improve to 8-0 overall with a 5-0 CIAA record (3-0) in the division.

The Trojans had already scored five touchdowns before Espinoza put the Lions on the board with his first scoring pass of the day, a nine-yard lob to Elijah Smith (Elmont, N.Y./Sewanhaka (Monroe College)) who caught the ball in the corner of the end zone for the score, making the score 32-7.

VSU's Trenton Cannon came right back with a 95-yard kickoff return on the Trojans next possession and added a 70 yard run before the half ended to give VSU a 46-7 lead at halftime.

Following two more VSU scores, Espinoza connected with Trey McCollum (Burlington, N.C./Western Alamance) from five yards out  to close the gap to 60-14.  Andre Price (Rialto, Calif./Jurupa Hills (Chabot)) caught Espinoza's final touchdown pass of the day, a 12-yard toss on the Lions opening possession in the fourth quarter.

Espinoza finished the game with 230 yards passing, completing 16 of 30 throws.  Price led the team with six catches for 79 yards.  Jabari Thomas (Washington, D.C./Carroll (Hampton)) amassed 192 yards on kickoff returns to be the Lions top generator of all-purpose yardage.

Virginia State had 699 yards of total offense including 487 on the ground.  Cannon rushed for 253 yards and with 115 yards in kickoff returns and a 21-yard catch finished the game with 389 all-purpose yards and five touchdowns (three rushing, one receiving and one return) 

The Lions return to action to face another nationally team, the 25^th ranked Bowie State Bulldogs in their final road contest of the year.  Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.