JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – The Lincoln University football team will begin a stretch of home games beginning with this Saturday’s matchup with LaGrange College, as this will be the first meeting between the two schools.
LaGrange, a Division III squad, enters with a record of 1-3, with their only win coming at the beginning of the season against Birmingham-Southern, 30-27. The Panthers, in just their fourth season with a football program, set the Division III world on fire last year, after not winning a game their first two seasons, LaGrange exploded to a 9-1 season last year and made the postseason.
The Panthers are a pass-heavy offense, as of their 1,152 total yards of offense, 809 have come through the air. Junior quarterback Drew Carter (6’2”, 203), who set 19 individual and season passing records a year ago, around battling a concussion from last game, and has not been afraid to air it out, tossing the ball 132 times, completing 71 for 726 yards, five touchdowns and eight interceptions. When he elects to put it up, several receivers are capable of coming down with the big catch. Stephen Tuck (5’11”, 189, JR.) leads the way with 16 receptions for 151 yards and three touchdowns. Colt Shope (5’7”, 181, SR.) is right behind Tuck in terms of yardage gained, snagging 14 receptions for 143 yards. Devin Billings (6’1”, 200, JR.) and Nick Langley (6’1”, 191, SR.) each have a receiving touchdown to their credit, with each also bringing in 15 receptions. Riley Hill leads all of the receivers in terms of yardage at 156, but he has done so on just 10 receptions.
While LaGrange elects to throw the ball more times than not, they also have a decent ground attack when needed. Dustin Canon (5’8”, 171, FR.) has already rushed 54 times for 224 yards to lead the team, but has yet to score a touchdown. The next closest on the team, Mario Wallace (5’7”, 160, SR.), has 22 attempts for 84 yards and one touchdown. The Panthers have just two rushing touchdowns as a team.
On the defensive side, the Okpani brothers have caused havoc throughout. Richard Okpani (5’7”, 205, SR) is tied for the team lead in tackles with 24 (17 solo), while adding a sack and recovering a fumble. George Okpani (6’2”, 210, SR.) isn’t too far behind, as he ranks fifth on the team with 18 tackles, and first with two sacks. Sandwiched between the brothers, Tim Hill (6’0”, 215, JR.) is tied for the team lead in tackles and leads in solo tackles with 20. Josh Britt (6’0”, 236, SR.) and Jeremy Pickens (5’11”, 169, SR.) are just ahead George Okpani, as each have tallied 20 tackles to rank third on the team. Turnovers are a huge point for the Panthers, as LaGrange has turned the ball over 13 times, to forcing just five turnovers.
For Lincoln, all the turnovers in the passing game could play into the hands of the Blue Tigers. Lincoln has picked off eight passes this season, with freshman O’Hara Fluellen (6’0”, 190, FR.) still leading the way with three. Junior Ammar Dyson (6’0”, 175, JR.) and sophomore Justin Hayes (5’9”, 175, SO.) each have two interceptions, while senior Mike Phillips (6’0”, 185, SR.) added his first of the season last week against St. Joseph’s.
Since junior quarterback Josh Goffigan (6’1”, 210) has taken over as the main QB against Virginia State, the Blue Tigers have slowly increased their rushing output each week. After tallying 128 against Virginia State, Lincoln increased that total to 134 against Morehouse, before racking up their best of the season against St. Joseph’s at 179 rushing yards.
Time of possession could become an issue with the Panthers spread offense and Lincoln’s triple option ground attack, as the Blue Tigers continue to dominate in TOP, holding the ball for nearly 33 minutes (32:51), while the Panthers average 28 minutes a game.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Blue Tigers will have a pink ribbon on the field in honor of this cause. Lincoln will host LaGrange beginning at 1 p.m. this Saturday, October 7 at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
Fans that can’t make it to the game can follow the action live on KJLU 88.9 FM with the pregame show beginning at 12:45 p.m. CT. Sports Information Director Brian Kortz will provide the play-by-play, while Herb Patterson will add the color commentary.