RENSSELEAR, IN. – With four non-conference games down, the Lincoln University football team will look to get things started on the right foot when they open Great Lakes Football Conference action this Saturday, September 26 at St. Joseph’s. Last season, the Pumas took down the Blue Tigers, 31-10.
The Pumas (2-2, 1-0 GLFC) received a good chunk of notoriety after defeating preseason conference favorite Missouri S&T, 44-41 in double overtime in Rolla, MO., back on Sep. 12.
The game at Missouri S&T was the Pumas’ lone road game so far this season, as the team opened the season with a loss to Hillsdale (37-7), but countered that with a 31-6 victory over Valparaiso. Last weekend, Lake Erie downed the Pumas at home, 31-21.
St. Joseph’s owns most of the conference stats at this point in the season, as the Pumas lead the five-team conference in scoring offense (25.75), pass efficiency defense (121.45), scoring defense (points allowed) (28.75), net punting (30.35), punt returns (19.38), kickoff returns (21.71), turnover margin (.75), and sacks recorded (1.50).
The Pumas have two top running backs that can break free at anytime, including Terrence Freeman (5’10”, 247, RSR), who has already been named the GLFC Player of the Week twice in the young season. The redshirt-senior has already amassed 370 yards on the ground on 66 carries, tallying nine touchdowns all in four games. He is also the Pumas’ second leading receiver, having snagged nine passes for 96 yards, with a long of 25.
When Freeman needs a rest, fellow running back Jashon Banks (5’11”, 202) is more than capable of filling in. The junior has chewed up opposing defenses’ for 306 yards on 55 carries, while also recording a touchdown. He has a long carry of 76 yards and can also be used in the passing game, having caught two passes for 26 yards.
Quarterback Mike Hladik (6'4", 230, SO) has thrown every pass for the Pumas this season except one. Hladik is completing passes just short of 60 percent (57.1) going 60-for-105 for 651 yards and three touchdowns. Hladik is also one of the first opposing quarterbacks that doesn’t run the ball all that much, having scampered just five times for -8 yards.
Cedric Ridle (5'11", 152, SO) and Robert Dutton (6'1", 195, RJR) contribute in the passing game around Freeman’s receptions out of the backfield, as Ridle leads the team with 139 yards on 11 catches and Dutton has caught all three touchdown passes from Hladik, while also contributing with 95 yards receiving on eight receptions.
Senior linebacker Bill Perry (6'3", 220) has come through with just about every stat that’s vital on the Pumas’ defense.
Perry leads the team in total tackles (38), tackles for loss (5), tied for first in interceptions (1) and second on the team in sacks, recording two for a total of 14 yards lost.
For the Blue Tigers, freshman running back Andre Young (5'11", 205) has emerged as the main back, having taken 66 of the 198 carries this season, with quarterback Josh Goffigan (6'1", 210, JR) second on that list at 34.
Young nearly tallied 100 yards against Morehouse and sits at 195 on the season. Goffigan, in two games since being named the starting quarterback, has rushed for 63 yards, while the Blue Tigers’ as a whole have gained 367 yards on the ground compared to 122 through the air.
The defense continues to be the staple for the Blue Tigers and several players have helped make this defense tough to go against.
Devin Mack (5'10", 220, SO) remains the leader in tackles with 24, which includes a team-leading 20 solo tackles in the bunch. Mack also leads the team with three tackles for losses and has added a sack.
Demarkis Smith (6'0", 205, JR) remains near Mack in most of those categories, as he has produced 20 total tackles, 15 solo and a half tackle for loss.
Lincoln continues to dominate when it comes to time of possession, holding the ball for over 32 minutes (32:08), while opposing teams have only had the ball for less than 27 minutes (26:47). The Blue Tigers are also still near the top in most yardage on interceptions returns (30.5).
The Blue Tigers will open up conference play this Saturday, September 26 with kickoff set for 12 p.m. CT.
Fans can follow all of the action by listening to KJLU 88.9 FM with Sports Information Director Brian Kortz providing the play-by-play beginning with the pregame show at 11:45 a.m.