Lincoln University of Missouri

BLUE TIGERS BOUND FOR OKLAHOMA

Searching for a cure to what ails them; the Lincoln University Blue Tigers football team hits the road for their final two games of the 2006 season.  If the Blue Tigers are to improve upon their 2-7 mark of the 2005 campaign, they must win their last two games of 2006. 

   Lincoln University (1-6) begins their season ending two game swing with a trip to Langston Okla. to take on Langston University (4-2) on Oct. 28 at 2:00 p.m. 

   The Blue Tigers are trying to earn their first victory in more than a month.  The lone win for Lincoln University was a 22-10 home triumph over Kentucky Wesleyan College on Sept. 23 in Great Lakes Football Conference action. 

   The Oct. 28 game is the only home game of 2006 for the Lions and serves as both Homecoming and Senior Day.  A long look at their schedule reveals the Lions have scheduled an eclectic blend of teams.  Among the 2006 opponents, Langston has games with schools in NCAA DI-AA (1), NCAA DII (5), and NAIA (3).  The results to date for the Lions have proven a significant result; they can play football with the best.  The two losses on the Langston ledger have come by a total of 18 points.  The defeats were delivered by current NCAA DII American Football Coaches Association poll teams North Carolina Central (No. 4) and Midwestern (Texas) State (No. 25).  Last week (Oct. 21) Langston lost in Durham, N.C. 31-21 to the Eagles (8-0), who are ranked No. 3 in the NCAA DII Southeast Region.  In the second game of the year for Langston and first for Midwestern State, the Mustangs won at home (Wichita Falls, Texas) over the Lions 34-26.  The Mustangs (6-2) are No. 8 in the NCAA DII Southwest Region. 

   The combined record of the teams who have defeated the Lions is 14-2 (.875), those of the Blue Tigers 29-27 (.517).

   A roster and depth chart full of underclassmen has slowed the progress of the Blue Tigers.  The offense has broke double figures twice this season and was shutout in three consecutive games to begin the year.  Only once in 2006 has the Blue Tigers defense limited the opposition to less than 34 points in a game. 

   Lincoln University enters the contest averaging six points per game and surrendering 43.  Langston University is scoring 35 points a game and allowing 22.  In the last three games the Lions have scored an average of 46 points per game and given up 27. 

   Since football was brought back as a varsity sport in 2000 the Blue Tigers have split six games (3-3, 2-1 home, 1-2 away) with the Lions.  The Blue Tigers won three in a row in 2001, 2002 and 2003 in overtime.  The 2002 victory was a 34-13 road effort.  The 21-point margin of victory is the Blue Tigers largest of the three wins over the Lions.  In that 2002 game Dodie Wilson ran for 178 yards on 35 carries and scored four touchdowns (runs of 9, 17, 20 and 20 yards) for the Blue Tigers. 

   The Blue Tigers were trounced at home in 2005 by the Lions 45-3, their worst setback in the six games. 

   In the three games in Langston, Okla. the average score was Langston 27-Lincoln University 24.  The home game average score in Dwight T. Reed Stadium favors Langston over Lincoln University 25-12. Overall, the Lions sport an average of 28 points per game and the Blue Tigers 20 per outing in the six games. 

GAME EIGHT RECAP - BLUE TIGERS WIN BLOOD DRIVE 65-62, LOSE FOOTBALL GAME 76-7

Taking the field with only 38 players available, Lincoln University was dominated in the non-conference game by an experienced team from Langston University on Oct. 28 at William E. Anderson Field in Langston, Okla. 76-7.

   The Blue Tigers fall to 1-7 with the defeat.  The Lions improved their record to 5-2 and their chances of making the NAIA postseason field of 16 teams.

   Langston led 42-0 after the first quarter and 48-0 at halftime.  The Blue Tigers scored on their first series of the second half.  Kevin Brown caught a five-yard pass from Rashad Aubrey for the Blue Tigers only points on the day.  The Blue Tigers touchdown capped a 7-play 76-yard drive, which burned more than five minutes off the third quarter clock.

   The Blue Tigers are in preparations for their last game of the season.  Lincoln University travels to Tiffin (Ohio) University for a Great Lakes Football Conference game set for 6:00 p.m. (EST) on Nov. 4.  The Dragons (9-0, 3-0 GLFC) are ranked No. 18 by the AFCA.  Tiffin is currently tied with St. Joseph’s College for the inaugural Great Lakes Football Conference Championship.