The Lincoln University football team dropped their opening game of the season Saturday night, falling to Fayetteville State University 32-0 at Lions Stadium.
 
The game was part of a special occasion commemorating the 10^th anniversary of the football's revival at Lincoln.  A founding member of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the Lions football program began play in 1894 and continued until 1960, going dormant for 48 years until 2008.  Members of the 2008 team were recognized at halftime.
 
The Broncos scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to take a commanding lead and never looked back as they accumulated 375 yards of total offense.  Lincoln finished the game with 191 yards of offense.
 
Lincoln's best opportunity  late in the second quarter as senior quarterback Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills))  took the Lions into the red zone with both his arm (33 yards) and legs (19 yards) as time was running out.  The Lions attempted a field goal as time was running out but the kick fell short of the uprights.
 
Much of Broncos offense came in the first two quarters as the Lions defense stepped it up in the second half, limiting the Broncos to just 97 yards of offense, five first downs and just three points.
 
The Lions were the opposite with the bulk of their offense coming in the second half after adjustments were made during the halftime break.   Vincent Espinoza (Madera, Calif /Madera (West Hills)) led the Lions with 70 yards passing (8-19) and 37 yards rushing.    Reginald Mays led all players with six catches for 52 yards.  Lincoln outgained Fayetteville State 132-97 in total yards in the second half.
 
On the defensive side Solomon Bassett (Fort Worth, Texas/Boswell) led all players with nine tackles, three of which went for losses totaling 30 yards.  Bassett also had two sacks and moved into fourth place on the Lions all-time list with 11.  Dominique Rogers (Danbury, Conn ) also had a sack and six tackles (three for loss).
 
The Broncos drove 31 yards and scored first with a field goal in the first quarter.  FSU then used a dominant second quarter to put the ball in the end zone four time to take a 29-0 lead at the half.   Darnell Walker scored first on a one yard run for the Broncos, followed by a big 64 yard pass from FSU QB Collyn Anderson to Brandon Smith just 2:23 later.  Stevie Green and Donshel Jetton ran the ball into the end zone to account for the Broncos final two touchdowns of the night.
 
Kicker David Lamb added a 39 yard field goal on the Broncos opening drive of the third quarter to round out the scoring. 
 
The Lions return to action on Friday, September 7, 2018 when they travel  to face Central Connecticut State University, a Division I FCS opponent.