LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA (October 14, 2023)- The Lincoln University Lions, under the leadership of first year head coach Frank Turner, grasped their third consecutive win this season after securing a homecoming victory, 27-21, over the Vikings of Elizabeth City State University!

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Lincoln 27, Elizabeth City State 21
Records: Lincoln (4-3, 3-2), Elizabeth City State (1-6, 0-5)
Location: LU Athletics Stadium
Series: Lincoln trails the series, 3-12, against Elizabeth City State
 
FIRST HALF

• The Lions homecoming matchup against the ECSU Vikings was less than desirable in the first quarter as the visitors found space for 2 touchdowns for a 14-0 lead over Lincoln.
• LU Athletics Stadium, filled with orange and blue, did not give up hope on endzone action for the home team.
• In the second quarter, the Lions offense and defense joined forces to put LU on the board and hold off the Vikings from scoring.
• Early in the quarter, Malachi Langley (Chester, Pa./Chester High School) ran in for a 7-yard touchdown after a 5 play, 89-yard drive.
• Minutes later, Isaiah Freeman (Chester, Pa./STEM Academy High School) found Dah'mear Triplett (Elkton, Md./Elkton High School) for a 12-yard touchdown pass.
• There was no stopping the Lions flow as Freeman and Triplett reconnected for an 8-yard touchdown pass to moved LU ahead 21-14 going into halftime.

SECOND HALF

• Despite a scoreless fourth quarter from both teams, Lincoln's first half efforts gave them the push to succeed in the second!
• ECSU tied the score, 21-all with 8:11 left in the third quarter, but the Lions did not lose hope.
• Making the last endzone appearance of the matchup for either team, Freeman found Eli Riddick (Brooklyn, N.Y./Eramus Hall High School) for a 25-yard touchdown pass to give the Lions a 27-21 lead.
• The Lions defense did their job, holding the Vikings back for 2 scoreless drives in the fourth quarter.
• The clock ran down to not only seal the Lions 27-21 victory, but to mark the most season wins for the Lions in over 15 years!

LION LEADERS

• Quarterback Isaiah Freeman was 13-for-20 on pass completions for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also rushed for 50 net yards on 11 attempts.
• Running Back Amir Gerald (Washington, D.C./Woodrow Wilson High School) led the Lions, rushing for 99 net yards, while Wide Receiver Malachi Langley (Chester, Pa./Chester High School) rushed for 19 yards to allow the Lions in the endzone for a touchdown.
• Alongside Wide Receiver Zyaire Tart (Camden, N.J./Middletown High School) clinching a 70-yard reception for Lincoln, Dah'mear Triplett (Elkton, Md./Elkton High School) covered 32 yards on 4 reception for 2 touchdowns. Eli Riddick (Brooklyn, N.Y./Eramus Hall High School) also got in on the action by securing a touchdown off of 2 receptions tallying 32 yards.
• Defensively, Eric Best (Burlington, N.J./Burlington High School) led the Lions with 5 solo tackles, while Terryen Haywood (Washington, D.C./HD Woodson High School) chipped in with 3 solo tackles, a sack and a forced fumble.

 
UP NEXT
The Lions will travel to Richmond, VA on October 21 to face the Panthers of Virginia Union University. Kickoff is set for 1pm.