The Lincoln University football team returns home to face nationally-ranked Virginia Union Noon Saturday in a regionally televised contest. 

Saturday's game will be shown on Aspire TV.

GAME NOTES | WATCH | LIVE STATS | TICKETS

ON THE AIR
Today's game will be featured on Aspire TV with Kit McConnico serving as the play-by-play announcer. The game can also be viewed on the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association network (www.ciaasn.com)
    
SERIES HISTORY
Lincoln enters the meeting having lost nine straight to the Panthers, including three consecutive shutouts. The Lions have been outscored 184-0 in the three match-ups. 

THE LAST TIME OUT
For the ninth straight game, and all six games this season, the Lincoln Lions came up with an interception, but LU fell to Virginia Union, 32-0, at Hovey Field.

Rontay Dunbar (Brooklyn, N.Y./Freedom) became the first defender with multiple picks on his second-quarter interception. Lincoln now has eight interceptions in the first six contests.

Five different players finished the game with five tackles, including Dunbar – who added the aforementioned interception with three pass breakups. Devon Cathcart (Chicago, Ill./Thornton Fractional South) added 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Kentrell Pierce (Calumet City, Ill./Harold Richards) added 1.5 tackles for loss and a pair of pass breakups. Kamar Green (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter) and Derrick McCoy (Bridgeton, N.J./Bridgeton) also had a tackle for loss.

The quarterback tandem of Andrew Banks (Atlanta, Ga./Mays) and junior Trae Greene (Willingboro, N.J./Burlington Co. Tech) combined to throw for 56 yards on 7-of-21 passing with one interception and was sacked nine times.

GROUND ATTACK
Sophomore running back Amir Gerald (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson) has taken over the reins as the Lions' lead back. The 5-8 back leads the team with 358 yards rushing and a robust 7.3 yards per game. He has two 100-yard games in his four appearances. 

His 89.5 yards per game are third in the CIAA, while quarterback Isaiah Freeman (Chester, PA/STEM Academy) is ninth in rushing with 37.3 yards per game.

EARLY OFFENSE
Lincoln has scored a first-quarter touchdown in three straight games, including taking its first possession right down the field. The Lions went 80 yards on 10 plays to score against Chowan and then, 87 yards on just five players against Elizabeth City. 
    
However, those were the only first-half touchdowns in both games and Lincoln is currently 1-2 when scoring first.

STOUT DEFENSE
Lincoln's defensive unit is ranked third in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, allowing 18.2 points per game. 
    
Veteran experience on the backend of the Lincoln defense, which features returners Rontay Dunbar (Brooklyn, N.Y./Freedom), Kentrell Pierce (Calumet City, Ill./Harold Richards), and Eric Best (Burlington, N.J./Burlington), is a huge reason for the defensive success. 

FRESHMAN SIGNAL CALLER
Freshman quarterback Isaiah Freeman (Chester, PA/STEM Academy) has garnered the respect and admiration of his teammates and coaching staff five starts into his collegiate career. 
    
The rookie is third in the league in passing with 186.7 yards and is ninth in rushing (37.3). With his total contributions to the LU offense, Freeman is third in total offense with 224 yards per game. 
    
The three-time CIAA Rookie of the Week is coming off a 284-yard game against Elizabeth City State and has thrown for 1,120 yards on 73-of-141 passing with 10 touchdowns.

GRAY AREA
Transfer Kai Gray (Newark, N.J./Saint Peters Prep) leads the team, and is fourth in the conference, with 8.3 tackles per game. He is ranked in the top 10 with seven passes defended. However, he has had interceptions in three straight games erased by "pass interference" on a teammate. 

DOING WHAT'S BEST
Senior Eric Best (Burlington, N.J./Burlington) is fourth in the CIAA with 1.2 passes defended. His three interceptions are also fourth in the conference. The de facto quarterback of the defense, Best has 22 tackles to go along with his three picks.

TITLE IX
The Lincoln University athletic department will honor the contributions of former coaches and student-athletes at halftime.

MEET VIRGINIA UNION
The Panthers are coming off a 27-24 overtime win over Bowie State to take over sole possession of first place in the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association's North Division. 
    
Virginia Union is led by the nation's leading rusher in Jada Byers, who enters the game with 1,373 yards. After gaining just 98 yards in the opening game, he has gained over 100 yards in six consecutive games - including a 319-yard effort in the upset over Valdosta State in week two. His 14 rushing scores also lead the country as the Panthers are averaging a nation-best 48.6 points. 
    
Don't let the gaudy offensive numbers distract you from the fact that the VUU defense is second in the conference, allowing 14.0 points per game. Shamar Graham leads the team with 46 tackles, including five for loss and one sack.
    
The Panthers are leading the CIAA with 30 tackles with Armonii Burden recording a team-high seven sacks.