CHEYNEY, Pennsylvania – Running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) eclipsed the Lions' single-game rushing record with 179 total yards and three rushing touchdowns lifting the Lions to a 29-22 season opening win over Cheyney in the annual Battle of the Firsts on Saturday, Sept. 5. Lincoln leads the all-time series 13-2-1 and won the last three meeting against their rival.The Lions attacked the Wolves often and early in the opening stages of the rivalry game. After the stifling defense held Cheyney to a quick punt, their offense took the field and scored the game's first points on a 32-yard made field goal by sophomore Brett Arkelian (Clovis, CA) (7:40). Lincoln found success when they fed running back Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) the ball against the Cheyney defense. Scott tallied 108 first half rushing yards and had a pair of touchdowns. His first score was his career-long rush of 77-yards with 4:10 remaining in the first quarter. The next touchdown was a one yard score in the second quarter.
The Lions racked up 179 total yards of offense in the first half to Cheyney's 147. With 28 seconds left in the second quarter Cheyney connected on a 28-yard pass and catch for a touchdown, cutting the Lincoln advantage to 17-6 at the half. Senior James Thomas (Los Angeles, CA/Oaks Christian Academy) blocked the extra point attempt for the Lions. Senior Brion Robinson (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook HS) had his first interception of the season picking off the Wolves quarterback midway through the second quarter.
In the next quarter Lincoln extended the lead to 23-6 at the 10:47 mark on a 64-yard touchdown reception by senior Brandon Rowe (Harlem, NY/Hudson Valley CC) from senior Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College). The Wolves responded with a touchdown of their own on the ensuing possession collecting 80 yards on eight plays in a 23-12 contest. The momentum shifted towards Cheyney, as their defense picked off Lincoln's offense and returned an interception for a 32 yard touchdown. The Wolves converted on a two-point conversion and trailed the Lions 23-20 with 7:12 left in the third quarter.
Lincoln went back to Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) on the next drive as the fourth quarter approached. The Lions used 13 plays and covered 57 yards breaking out to a 29-20 lead at the 13:40 mark in the quarter. Scott had eight touches on that drive and scored his third rushing touchdown of the rivalry game from 8-yards out. Cheyney added on two points of their own by blocking the point-after-attempt and returned it for a score.
Ahead by a touchdown the Lions defense forced two turnovers in the final quarter to seal their third straight victory over Cheyney. Freshman Mikeal Mays forced a fumbled that was recovered by sophomore Dequann Pittman (Washington, DC/Overlea HS) with 12:38 left in the game. The next huge play came from sophomore Mark Price (Philadelphia, PA/Charles Carroll HS) with 1:11 remaining on an interception in the endzone. Price's turnover allowed the LU offense to run the clock out and down Cheyney in the annual Battle of the Firsts, 29-22. The LU defense forced three turnovers while the offense converted on 3-of-4 attempts in the redzone.
Stephen Scott (Baltimore, MD/Bethel College) shined on television setting several single-game rushing records for the Lions. Scott had the most carries (30), most net yards rushing (179), most rushing touchdowns (3), and the longest rush from scrimmage (77) in a single game. He averaged 5.8 yards per carry and one reception for two yards.
Quarterback Edward McKenzie (Paterson, NJ/Lackwanna College) finished 8-of-15 for 120 total passing yards and one touchdown. He hooked up with four different receivers led by junior Larquise Hobbs (Lansing, MI/J.W. Sexton HS). Hobbs had four catches for 30 yards while senior Bradley Martin (Philadelphia, PA/Vermillion CC) had two catches for 24 yards.
Defensively, Mark Price (Philadelphia, PA/Charles Carroll HS) had a team-high seven solo tackles and an interception to lead the Lions. Brion Robinson (Silver Spring, MD/Springbrook HS) also finished with seven tackles and an interception that was returned for 39-yards. Junior Rhamir Thomas (Washington, PA/Youngstown State University) had five tackles while James Thomas (Los Angeles, CA/Oaks Christian Academy) and freshman Courtney Wright (Fort Lauderdale, FL/Coral Glades HS) both had four tackles each.
Lincoln moves to 1-0 and travels to Rocky Mountain, NC to battle North Carolina Wesleyan in their next game on Sept. 12th at 1p.m.
BOX SCORE
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