Box Score COATESVILLE, Pa. – The Lincoln University football team dropped its Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association opener Saturday, losing 41-6 to Shaw at Red Raider Stadium.

After fighting tooth and nail with the Bears in the first half, Lincoln was outscored 28-0 in the second half. Shaw tallied two scores in each the third and fourth quarters.

For the first time this season, the Lions scored in the first quarter as Lincoln took the opening drive of the game 68 yards on 11 plays. Freshman Samuel Okezie-Imo (Owings Mills, Md. /New Town) capped the drive with a 31-yard field goal, the first of his career.

Shaw answered with a 70-yard touchdown drive on its ensuing possession, and then added another score early in the second quarter.

From there, the Lincoln defense was its usually stingy self for the rest of the half. The Lions forced three consecutive punts. Then, they became opportunistic. Senior Devon Cathcart (Chicago, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) came up with interception deep in their own territory, and before he could be tackled, pitched back to junior Kentrell Pierce (Calumet City, Ill./Harold Richards) – who took it 70 yards into the Shaw red zone. However, his fumble on the 10 yardline was recovered by Shaw.

Undeterred, Lincoln quickly got the ball back on a Shaw fumble with 24 seconds remaining. After an intentional grounding penalty, the Lions settled for a 23-yard Okezie-Imo field goal.

Freshman quarterback Andrew Banks (Atlanta, Ga. /Mays) finished 19-of-31 for 168 yards and an interception. He added 20 rushing yards on five attempts. His favorite target, Michael Credle, Jr. (Bear, Del./Glasgow) finished with 48 yards on seven catches.

Senior Devon Cathcart (Chicago, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) continued to lead the way defensively for the Lions, recording nine tackles – one for loss – and an interception. It marked the fourth straight game Lincoln registered an interception. Freshman Jesse Jackson (Washington, D.C./Dunbar) also tallied a pick.

Juniors Eric Best (Burlington, N.J. /Burlington) and Andre Williams (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) each had eight stops for the Lions.

Lincoln (0-4 overall, 0-1 CIAA) travels to Fayetteville State Saturday in CIAA action.