JEFFERSON CITY, MO. – The Lincoln University football team will look to benefit from the homecoming crowd and energy when they host Peru State this Saturday in another non-conference tilt.
NAIA Peru State (2-3) is coming off of a win against Tabor College, 19-7, on the road last week and will enter Dwight T. Reed Stadium with a 1-2 road record.
The Bobcats feature a look that is similar to that of LaGrange from last week, in that Peru State can air it out, but they also have a solid running back when needed.
Quarterback Curtis Thompson (6’2”, 205, JR) has been under center for all of the pass attempts, as he has already thrown for 864, while totaling eight touchdowns. John Noojin (5’10”, 225, JR) controls the ground attack for PSU, as he has already carried the ball 106 times for 428 yards and three touchdowns. His biggest game of the season came last week against Tabor College, in which Noojin ran for 125 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.
The Bobcats have two receivers that have brought down a majority of Thompson’s passes, in Cody Wallinger (6’1”, 200, SR) and Mike Brown (5’11”, 176, SR). Wallinger has snagged 22 receptions for 301 yards and four touchdowns to lead the team in all three categories. Brown has added 14 catches for 224 yards and one touchdown. When those two are covered, third option Quentin Edelman (6’2”, 185, SO) has also contributed, haling in 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown.
Several Bobcats come through on the defensive end, as three players have already recorded at least 30 tackles, as Derek Derr (6’0”, 220, SR) leads the way with 39 total tackles, with 25 coming via the solo variety to lead the squad. Ryan Newell (6’0”, 230, SR) and Preston Bruss (6’2”, 190, SO) each have over 30 tackles, as Newell has added 31, while Bruss has 30. PSU is also a defense that has a tendency to record the interception, as the team has combined for nine on the season, with four players tied with two apiece.
For the Blue Tigers, the ground attack continues to take shape each week, as Lincoln once again increased their rushing output from the following week after tallying 187 against LaGrange, a week after posting 179 rushing yards versus St. Joseph’s.
The game against LaGrange was also one of the few this year where someone other than Andre Young (5’11”, 205, FR) had to carry the load, with Chris Willis (5’8”, 165, FR) leading the way last week with 56 yards and quarterback Josh Goffigan (6’1”, 210, JR) continues to climb up the yards each contest, adding 46 against the Panthers. LaGrange was also only the second team this season to avoid an interception by the Blue Tiger secondary, as the team remains at eight for the year.
Lincoln continues to hold a strong advantage in terms of time of possession, holding the ball for nearly 33 minutes (32:43), while opponents have only had it for 26:33. The Blue Tigers also showed strong resilience on fourth downs, converting 4-of-5 against LaGrange and went 1-for-1 in their only red zone opportunity, as the offense has now tallied a touchdown in back-to-back games.
Lincoln will welcome Peru State for homecoming with kickoff set for 2 p.m. CT at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
Fans that can’t make it to the game can follow all of the action live on KJLU 88.9 FM with the pregame show beginning at 1:45 p.m. CT. Sports Information Director Brian Kortz will provide the play-by-play, while Herb Patterson will add the color commentary.