LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. — The Lincoln University (Pa.) football team will take center stage in Philadelphia on Friday night as the Lions face CIAA opponent Virginia Union University at Lincoln Financial Field.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, October 30, at the home of the Philadelphia Eagles. Lincoln will serve as the home team for the matchup, which is presented by the Philadelphia Eagles and the City of Philadelphia as part of One Philly HBCU Week 2026.
The contest represents another marquee moment on Lincoln's 2026 schedule and marks the program's first football game in Philadelphia in 16 years, giving the Lions an opportunity to showcase the nation's first degree-granting HBCU on an NFL stage in front of alumni, students, supporters and HBCU football fans from throughout the region.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: Lincoln University (Pa.) vs. Virginia Union University
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Kickoff: 7 p.m.
Location: Lincoln Financial Field
City: Philadelphia, Pa.
Watch: Live Stats
Lincoln's official schedule lists live video and live statistics for Friday night's contest.
LAST TIME OUT – LINCOLN
Lincoln enters Friday's matchup following a hard-fought 21-14 setback against Winston-Salem State during the Lions' Homecoming and Senior Day game on October 24.
The Lions struck first when Malory Pinkney capped a seven-play, 40-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter. After Winston-Salem State moved ahead 21-7 in the second half, Lincoln continued to battle and made things interesting late.
The Lions put together a 12-play, 80-yard fourth-quarter scoring drive that ended with Rhyel Miles-Eubanks (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville Area HS) connecting with Kyrie Tyson (Elkton, MD/Elkton HS) for a 29-yard touchdown, cutting the deficit to seven with 4:40 remaining.
Lincoln's defense gave the offense two additional opportunities by forcing Winston-Salem State to punt on each of its final two possessions.
The Lions finished with an 18-13 advantage in first downs and held the football for 36:17. Defensively, Lincoln limited Winston-Salem State to just 57 rushing yards and held the Rams to one conversion on nine third-down attempts.
TYSON CONTINUES TO LEAD RECEIVING CORPS
Kyrie Tyson (Elkton, MD/Elkton HS) continues to be one of Lincoln's top offensive weapons.
Against Winston-Salem State, Tyson recorded another 100-yard receiving performance, finishing with 101 yards and a touchdown. His 29-yard fourth-quarter touchdown reception helped pull the Lions within one possession.
Tyson has provided Lincoln with a dependable target throughout the season and enters Friday night's matchup as one of the players Virginia Union's secondary will have to account for on every possession.
Allante Stubbs (Washington, DC/Calvin Coolidge HS) added two catches for 38 yards against Winston-Salem State, while Noble Thompson (Chester, PA/Stem Academy at Showalter) recorded four receptions for 33 yards.
Quarterback Mikal Davis completed 14 passes for 130 yards, while Miles-Eubanks added 57 passing yards and the fourth-quarter touchdown.
LINCOLN DEFENSE LOOKS TO BUILD ON STRONG PERFORMANCE
The Lions' defense will look to carry its strong effort against Winston-Salem State into Friday's matchup.
Isaiah Session (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner HS) and Charles Thompson (Chester, PA/Stem Academy) led Lincoln with six tackles apiece last week. Session also forced a fumble and recorded a pass breakup.
Defensive lineman Myles Sewell (Elkton, Md/Elkton High School) continued to create pressure up front, finishing with five tackles and a sack for a 10-yard loss, while Aidan Giles (Washington, DC) recorded an interception.
That unit will face a significant challenge against a Virginia Union offense coming off one of its most productive performances of the season.
SCOUTING VIRGINIA UNION
Virginia Union enters Friday night's matchup with a 7-1 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in CIAA play after defeating Shaw University, 49-6, on Homecoming in Richmond.
The Panthers controlled the contest from the opening quarter, building a 35-0 halftime advantage before finishing with 417 yards of total offense. Virginia Union rushed for 183 yards and passed for 234 while converting all three of its red-zone opportunities.
Quarterback RJ Rosales led the Panthers' passing attack against Shaw, completing 10 of 15 passes for 193 yards and four touchdowns without an interception.
Wide receiver Montrell Wright was one of his primary targets, catching four passes for 91 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring receptions of 27 and 41 yards. Latrell Sutton added four catches for 81 yards and a touchdown.
On the ground, Ramon Brown carried 18 times for 94 yards, while Raphael Tucker added 55 yards and a touchdown on 10 attempts. Virginia Union finished the afternoon with 23 first downs and possessed the football for 33:36.
The Panthers were equally effective defensively against Shaw. Virginia Union surrendered just 169 total yards, including 85 through the air, while recording four sacks and two interceptions. The Panthers held Shaw to two conversions on 11 third-down opportunities.
KEYS TO THE GAME
For Lincoln, slowing Virginia Union's balanced offense will begin with controlling the line of scrimmage and limiting explosive plays. The Panthers demonstrated against Shaw that they can attack both on the ground and through the air, scoring five passing touchdowns while also producing 183 rushing yards.
Offensively, the Lions will look to establish their running game and create opportunities for Tyson and the receiving corps downfield. Sustaining drives could also be important after Lincoln held the football for more than 36 minutes against Winston-Salem State.
Turnovers and field position could prove critical in a matchup against a Virginia Union team that has shown the ability to capitalize quickly on opportunities.
LIONS TAKE PHILADELPHIA
Friday night's game provides Lincoln with an opportunity that extends beyond the CIAA standings.
The matchup is part of One Philly HBCU Week 2026 and gives Lincoln the chance to represent the university and HBCU football on one of the biggest stages in Philadelphia.
Lincoln Financial Field is home to the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, and Friday will mark Lincoln football's first appearance in Philadelphia in 16 years. The contest is also the third major showcase game of the Lions' season following appearances in the Chicago Football Classic and Frederick Douglass HBCU Classic.
Fans are encouraged to wear orange and blue and help bring Lion pride to Lincoln Financial Field.
UP NEXT
Following Friday night's matchup, Lincoln will close the 2026 regular season on Saturday, November 7, when the Lions travel to Bowie, Maryland, to face Bowie State University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
