BY ROCK HOFFMAN
College Football Editor
Fall is here, there’s a chill in the air, it’s definitely college football season.
Once is an accident, twice is a trend. Lincoln University hadn’t won a road game since 2015, that all changed a few weeks ago. Now, the Lions (2-2, 1-1 CIAA) have won two in a row away from home, after they edged Johnson C. Smith University 29-28 on a last-second field goal by freshman Joseph Price. It marked the school’s first conference road win since 2009. Lincoln’s freshman quarterback Isaiah Freeman accounted for all four of the team’s touchdowns – he ran for one and threw for three. He finished with 298 yards passing and another 20 on the ground.
For his efforts, Freeman, who is from Chester and attended STEM Academy, is the Football Stories Magazine College Offensive Player of the Week.
The Lions were scheduled to go for a third-straight road win but their trip to Winston-Salem State was called off because of Hurricane Ian. The Lions will have Homecoming on October 8, with Chowan University (2-2, 2-0 CIAA) visiting.
With injuries at quarterback and along the offensive line, West Chester needed to rely on their defense to beat Millersville 26-14. The offense did account for three field goals and a touchdown, but the defense got six turnovers, four sacks and was on the field when Millersville twice had bad snaps that led to safeties. However, a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown by Oscar Uduma early in the fourth quarter put the game away. In addition to the pick six, Uduma had 10 tackles, three-and-a-half for loss, including a sack. A pair of forced fumbles and a pass break up.
For his efforts, Uduma, a sophomore from Bonner-Prendergast, is the Football Stories Magazine College Defensive Player of the Week.
The Golden Rams (3-1,1-0 PSAC East) travel to Bloomsburg (1-3, 0-1 PSAC East) for a Saturday night contest.
Penn shutout Lafayette, 12-0, with a big effort from the defense led by Jake Heinlicher, who had three tackles for loss including a sack. The Quakers (2-0, 0-0 Ivy) start play in the Ivy League on Friday night when they visit the two-time defending league champions Dartmouth (1-1, 0-0 Ivy).
“They know it’s a big game,” said Quakers head coach Ray Priore, about his team, which should have a good idea where it stands after the matchup with the Big Green.
Villanova lost a wild one to Monmouth, 49-42. “We just got to get them to play base, fundamental football. Just do your job,” said Villanova head coach Mark Ferrante after the Wildcats gave up 49 points in back-to-back losses.
Like Penn, No. 15 Villanova (2-2, 0-1 CAA) travels to New England and escapes the wrath of Ian. Their opponents are the Maine Black Bears (0-3, 0-0 CAA)
Temple also won by shutout as they beat UMass, 28-0. The Owls (2-2, 0-0 American) are on the road to opening American Athletic Conference play at Memphis (3-1, 1-0 American).
Delaware spoiled Hampton’s CAA debut 35-3. The sixth-ranked Blue Hens (4-0, 2-0 CAA) entertain Towson (2-2, 0-1 CAA) on Saturday.
Princeton topped Lehigh 29-17. On Saturday, the Tigers (2-0, 0-0 Ivy) play at Columbia (2-0, 0-0 Ivy) in the league opener for both schools.
Delaware State fell to Merrimack State, 26-13. The Hornets (2-2) are home again this week when Robert Morris (0-3) comes to town.
Delaware Valley rolled over Misericordia, 41-0. The No. 15 Aggies (4-0, 2-0 MAC) are on the road against Stevenson (4-0, 2-0 MAC) which is coming off a 30-14 win over Widener. The Pride (1-3, 0-2 MAC) is idle this week. Also idle, is TCNJ (1-2) which is off for the second week in a row.
Rowan suffered a tough 28-24 loss to Salva Ragina. This week, the Profs (2-1, 0-0 NJAC) try to regroup on the road as they visit Christopher Newport (2-2, 0-0 NJAC).
“It’s always fun going on a trip,” said Jay Accorsi, the Prof head coach. “If you talk to players - at any level - a lot of the games they remember are those travel games because it’s the experience of being on the road and doing all those things associated with it. I get a chance to spend a lot of time with the players, you normally don’t.”
Ursinus defeated Franklin & Marshall, 22-7. Saturday, the Bears (3-1, 2-1 Centennial) play their third ranked team of the season when they travel to No. 20 Susquehanna (4-0, 3-0 Centennial).
Eastern University played their first game ever and beat the Lebanon Valley JV team, 22-16. They have an intrasquad scrimmage on Friday, October 7, their next game on October 16th at the Muhlenberg College JV.
Email Rock Hoffman at rock@footballstories.com