LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The Lincoln University (PA) football team will begin its 2026 campaign at home when the Lions welcome nearby West Chester University to LU Athletics Stadium on Saturday, September 5. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.
Game Information
Opponent: West Chester University
Date: Saturday, September 5, 2026
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: LU Athletics Stadium – Lincoln University, Pennsylvania
Coverage: Live video and live statistics will be available through
lulions.com
Saturday's season opener will mark the first football meeting between the two institutions, which are located approximately 35 miles apart. The nonconference matchup also begins the fourth season for Lincoln head coach
Frank Turner.
The Lions enter the new season with a strong returning core and a promising group of newcomers. Turner and his staff will look for the team to establish its identity early as Lincoln begins a challenging schedule featuring CIAA competition, three HBCU showcase games and multiple regional opponents.
"We have a solid group of guys returning, and we had a good signing class that will provide depth," Turner said when Lincoln announced its schedule. "Overall, I think this schedule will give us a great opportunity to show who we are as a football team."
West Chester will also make its 2026 debut on Saturday. The Golden Rams finished the 2025 season with a 4-7 overall record and were selected fourth in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Eastern Division preseason coaches' poll. West Chester is led by head coach Duke Greco and enters the season looking to build around a mix of returning talent and new contributors.
The matchup will provide Lincoln with an opportunity to set the tone for the season in front of its home crowd. Establishing consistency on both sides of the ball, controlling the line of scrimmage and limiting turnovers will be important against a West Chester program that averaged just over 25 points per game last season.
Following Saturday's opener, Lincoln will travel to Chicago to face NCAA Division I FCS opponent Mississippi Valley State in the Chicago Football Classic on September 12 at Soldier Field.
