CHICAGO, Ill. – The Lincoln University (Pa.) football team produced 345 yards of total offense and mounted a second-half rally but fell to Mississippi Valley State University, 31-20, Saturday afternoon in the Chicago Football Classic at historic Soldier Field.
Quick Inside the Numbers
The Lions gained 345 total yards, including 213 through the air and 132 on the ground. Lincoln held a 22-19 advantage in first downs and converted three of its four fourth-down opportunities. Mississippi Valley State accumulated 407 yards and converted 10 of 14 third downs.
Lincoln (0-2) finished with 22 first downs and three touchdowns while committing no interceptions. The Lions scored twice during a 13-point third quarter to pull within four before Mississippi Valley State answered with the game's final touchdown.
How it Happened
Mississippi Valley State opened the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run by Norman Taylor, taking a 7-0 lead with 10:57 remaining in the first quarter.
The Lions responded late in the opening period.
Jayden Triplett (Elkton, MD/Elkton HS) directed an 80-yard scoring drive and capped it with a four-yard touchdown pass to
Allante Stubbs (Washington, DC/Calvin Coolidge HS).
Armando Avril (Hillside, NJ) converted the extra point to tie the game at seven with 1:04 remaining.
Mississippi Valley State regained the advantage in the second quarter when Josh Brown connected with Nicholas Buggs for a 30-yard touchdown. Luka Sari later made a 30-yard field goal as time expired, sending the Delta Devils into halftime with a 17-7 lead.
Lincoln came out of the locker room with renewed energy and marched 77 yards on 10 plays to begin the second half.
Rhyel Miles-Eubanks (Coatesville, PA/Coatesville Area HS) completed the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to
Lorenzo Robinson (White Plains, NY), cutting the deficit to 17-14.
The Delta Devils answered with a nine-yard touchdown reception by Jaylen King, extending their lead to 24-14.
Lincoln refused to go away. The Lions put together another 10-play scoring drive, this time covering 76 yards. Robinson finished the possession with a nine-yard touchdown run, bringing Lincoln within 24-20 with 1:15 remaining in the third quarter.
Mississippi Valley State responded just 38 seconds later when Brown found Dayvian Bluitt for a 79-yard touchdown, producing the final margin.
Robinson led Lincoln's offense with 118 rushing yards and one touchdown on 19 carries. He also caught two passes for 48 yards and another score, finishing with 166 yards from scrimmage and two total touchdowns.
Triplett completed 13 of 28 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown while adding 25 yards on the ground. Miles-Eubanks went 3-for-5 for 62 yards and a touchdown.
Kyrie Tyson (Elkton, MD/Elkton HS) paced the receiving corps with five catches for 82 yards, including a game-long 37-yard reception. Stubbs added two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively,
Brandon Robinson (Lithonia, GA/Martin Luther King, Jr. HS) recorded a team-high 11 tackles, while
Charles Thompson (Chester, PA/Stem Academy) finished with nine tackles.
Brosnan Dukes (Washington, DC/Paul Laurence Dunbar HS) added eight tackles and intercepted a pass.
Dayone Fitch provided consistent pressure up front, recording five tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two sacks.
Lorenzo Gales (Wilmington, DE/Brandywine High School) contributed three tackles and one sack as Lincoln's defense finished with three sacks and forced three turnovers.
Up Next
Lincoln will return to action Saturday, Sept. 19, when the Lions travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face Shaw University. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. inside Durham County Stadium.
