The Lincoln University football team travels to Ettrick, Virginia on Saturday, October 20, 2018 to face CIAA Divisional rival Virginia State University. The game will be the Lions fourth CIAA contest and third within the North division. Lincoln is looking to build upon the momentum gained following their 21-20 homecoming win last week over Elizabeth City State University. Saturday's game will be the 15th meeting of these two times in the series which dates back to 1928.
Game #8 Preview: Lincoln University at Virginia State University
Game Details
Date: Saturday, October 20, 2018
Kickoff: 2 pm
Venue: Rogers Stadium, Ettrick, Virginia
The Series: This is the 15th meeting between these two teams. The Trojans lead the all-time series 14-0
Visiting Team: Lincoln University Lions
Conference: CIAA
2018 Record: 1-6
Conference Record: 1-2
Roster
2018 Statistics
Home Team: Virginia State University
Conference: CIAA
2018 Overall Record: 3-3
Conference Record: 2-1
Roster
2018 Statistics
Gameday Coverage
Live Stream: http://theciaasn.com/lincoln or http://theciaasn.com/vsu/
Live Stats: https://govsutrojans.com/sidearmstats/football/summary
Radio: https://tunein.com/radio/WVST-913-s23644/
All in the Family:
When the Lincoln University Lions football team takes the field at Virginia State University on Saturday, it will be more than just a game between two conference divisional rivals. It will be a family reunion with Lions Head Coach Josh Dean and his younger brother Jaylon Dean (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Creek) on the Lincoln side and the Dean brothers father Vernon Dean on the Virginia State sideline.
To read the complete story click here
Last time out…
Lincoln:
The Lions earned their first homecoming victory since 2011 season with a 21-20 win over Elizabeth city State University. Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills)) led the Lions offensive attack with both his arm and his legs, throwing for 122 yards and a pair of TDs on 6 of 11 passing, while also topping Lincoln's list of rushers with 59 yards Lavelle Cloyd (Lexington, Ky./Bryan Station (Kentucky State)) chipped in with another 42 yards on 12 carries.
On the defensive end, Lincoln's defense was absolutely stellar in the second half, despite giving up 13 points on two big plays in the fourth quarter. The special teams came up big after the Vikings scored their third touchdown as they forced the ECSU kicker. D'Rico Cook (Waldorf, Md. /St. Charles) had a big sack with 1:50 left forcing the Vikings to punt and allowing the Lions to run out the clock.
Virginia State
In front of a Bowie State University Homecoming crowd, the Virginia State University Trojans suffered a tough 20-15 loss to the Bulldogs of Bowie State University on last Saturday afternoon.
Offensively, the Trojans was led by Cordelral Cook with 215 passing yards, completing 16-of-28 passes. Joshua Harris led all receivers with 79 reception yards on six catches. Cook also carried the ball 17 times for 83 yards and adding one touchdown. Senior Patrick Prosser led the Trojans defensively with nine tackles and one pass breakup, followed by senior Kurtis Brooks with eight tackles.
Movin' on up….
Several Lincoln players have moved up on the Lions all-time statistical lists over the past couple of games…most notably:
Senior Quarterback Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills)) has moved into third on the Lions all-time list for pass completions and passing attempts…He now has 148 career completions and 297 attempts in just under two seasons as a Lion. Espinoza is also now fourth in total offense yards with 2,133
On the defensive side: Senior defensive tackle Solomon Bassett (Fort Worth, Texas/Boswell) has climbed his way up several lists this season. His four sacks this year gives him 13 for his career, moving him into #4 on the Lions all-time list. Bassett is also tied for Lincoln's all-time lead with six fumbles recovered and with his blocked kick earlier this season is the Lions all-time leader with three.
Senior Deion Miller (Sayreville, N.J /Jersey Coast Academy) has moved into seventh on Lincoln's all-time list for total career tackles with 191 and a tie for fifth with 147 unassisted tackles
Players to Watch:
Lincoln Lions
#1 Solomon Bassett (Fort Worth, Texas/Boswell) – Defensive Line
Bassett is having a solid season anchoring the Lions defensive line with 12 tackles for loss and six quarterback sacks. He is second on the team with 35 total tackles.
#7 Lavelle Cloyd (Lexington, Ky./Bryan Station (Kentucky State)) – Running Back
Is the team's second leading rusher on the season with 177 net yards yards…scored a touchdown vs. Johnson C. Smith
#8 Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills)) – Quarterback
Is Lincoln's leader in total offense yards with 713…Leads the team in both rushing yards (178) and passing (535) completing 44 of 95 passes while appearing in all seven games.
#11 Reginald Mays Jr. (Reisterstown, Md./Franklin (Frostburg)) – Wide receiver/returner
Has 17 catches on the season for 290 yards receiving to lead the Lions. Has also recorded 92 yards on kickoff and punt returns
#23 Kendall Brooks (Washington, DC /Bell ) – Cornerback/Special Teams
Scored Lincoln's first touchdown last week on an 84 yard return of a blocked field goal vs. ECSU. Has 17 tackles on defense
#32 Deion Miller (Sayreville, N.J /Jersey Coast Academy) – Strong Safety
Has been one of the anchors in the defensive secondary, leading the team with 37 tackles this season.
Virginia State Trojans
#3 Cordelral Cook – Quarterback
Leads the Trojans in passing, completing 60.2% of his passes (115-191) for 1,414 yards…also leads the team with 373 yards rushing..Has thrown eight touchdown passes and ran for seven additional scores.
#32 Demetrius Strickland - Running Back
VSU's second leading rusher with 288 yards and three touchdowns
#9 Joshua Harris – Wide Receiver
Leads the team with 36 catches for 477 yards while scoring two touchdowns
#97 Kwabe Boateng –defensive tackle
leads the team with five sacks on the season….has 11 tackles
