LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, Pa. – The Lincoln University (Pa.) football team scored 13 unanswered points in the second half, but its comeback attempt fell just short in a 21-13 season-opening loss to West Chester University on Saturday evening at LU Athletics Stadium.
Quick Hits
After trailing 21-0 at halftime, Lincoln shut out the Golden Rams over the final two quarters and twice drove 70-plus yards for touchdowns. The Lions finished with 238 yards of offense and averaged 5.3 yards per play, while their defense recorded three sacks and held West Chester to 67 passing yards.
How It Happened
Lincoln's defense delivered an early red-zone stand, stopping West Chester on downs at the Lions' 3-yard line during the opening possession. The Golden Rams later broke through on an eight-yard touchdown run by Mikhail Johnson with nine seconds remaining in the first quarter.
West Chester extended its advantage in the second quarter behind rushing touchdowns from Jack Pellicciotti and Tyler Douglas, taking a 21-0 lead into halftime.
The Lions responded immediately after the break. On the second play of their opening drive, quarterback
Jayden Triplett (Elkton, MD/Elkton HS) connected with
Kyrie Tyson (Elkton, MD/Elkton HS) for a 61-yard completion to the West Chester 5-yard line.
Lorenzo Robinson (White Plains, NY) scored on the next snap, and
Armando Avril (Hillside, NJ) converted the extra point to complete a three-play, 77-yard scoring drive.
Lincoln's defense kept the Golden Rams off the scoreboard throughout the third quarter, giving the offense an opportunity to continue its comeback.
The Lions struck again midway through the fourth quarter. Triplett opened the drive with a 38-yard completion to
Sahfi Reed (Philadelphia, PA/) before using his legs to move Lincoln into the red zone. Facing fourth-and-12 from the West Chester 15, Triplett escaped the defense and raced into the end zone for a touchdown, cutting the deficit to 21-13 with 6:23 remaining.
Lincoln's defense forced West Chester backward on its ensuing possession, but a roughing-the-kicker penalty extended the drive and allowed the Golden Rams to run out the remaining time.
Inside the Numbers
Triplett completed 13 of 19 passes for 156 yards and added a team-high 60 rushing yards and one touchdown. Tyson served as his top target, catching eight passes for 96 yards, including the 61-yard reception that set up Lincoln's first score.
Reed added a 38-yard catch, while Robinson contributed two receptions for 16 yards and scored Lincoln's first rushing touchdown of the season.
Charles Thompson (Chester, PA/Stem Academy) led the defense with 11 tackles.
Brosnan Dukes (Washington, DC/Paul Laurence Dunbar HS) finished with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and a pass breakup.
Robert Castarphen was disruptive throughout the contest, recording four tackles, three tackles for loss and three sacks.
Sahaaj Bennett (Netcong, NJ/Malcolm X Shabazz HS),
Isaiah Session (Philadelphia, PA/Monsignor Bonner HS), Dayone Fitch and Nikaih Young also registered tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
Lincoln converted both of its red-zone opportunities into touchdowns and finished with more passing yards than West Chester, 156-67. The Lions also averaged nearly a yard more per offensive play than the Golden Rams.
Up Next
Lincoln will travel to Chicago for the 2026 Chicago Football Classic against Mississippi Valley State University on Saturday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Soldier Field.
