The Good
- It was a win. And for head coach Duke Greco it was the 100th win of his college coaching career.
- Second year running back Mikhail Johnson had a big day. He matched his 2025 season total - 103 yards - in just 11 carries against Lincoln, including an 8-yard touchdown run.
- Punter Jack Corrigan had punts of 33, 59, and 47. After last season, anything better than no blocked punts and no punt returns for touchdown is gravy, but Lincoln had zero return yards for a 39.7 yard net average per punt. Later a 52-yard punt by Corrigan was negated by a roughing penalty.
- Sticking with special teams, West Virginia State transfer Adrien Mosley flashed a little bit. He had three punt returns for 29 yards to accompany his two catchs for 19 yards. Expect big plays from him this year.
- The defense registered eight tackles for loss. Jack Fry blocked a Lincoln PAT attempt and 6'6 Solo Bambara batted a ball which was intercepted by Luke Trunell that led to West Chester's third touchdown.
- With the Lions down by just one score, the Golden Rams were able to keep the ball for the final six minutes of the game thanks in part to a Lincoln penalty.
The Bad
- On their opening drive, the Golden Rams had a first and goal from the Lincoln five, but possesion resulted in no points.
- The passing game. Towson transfer Jack Pellicciotti was 9 of 15 for just 67 yards and was sacked three times. Tyler Douglas only threw the ball one time. While his intended pass was significantly underthrown, it resulted in a defensive pass interference penalty.
- The Golden Rams had a chance to extend the lead early in the fourth quarter, but Tommy Pajic's 44-yard field goal slipped wide left.
- Even though the Golden Rams did not commit a turnover, they were a little loose with the ball. Johnson fumbled at the Lincoln five-yard line, but fortunately recovered it himself. And Douglas was stripped on his rushing touchdown. With the referee late to signal touchdown (more on the officiating below), it wasn't clear that it was a score for some time.
- West Chester's second half possessions were three-and-out, three-and-out, missed field goal, and running out the clock. Not much production and no points.
The Ugly
- The two teams combined for 27 penalties for 268 yards with most of that coming after halftime. It was a dreadful game to watch.
- The officials were often late to blow the whistle or make a signal. On Douglas' touchdown run, the ball came out after he crossed the goal line. There was a scramble for the ball and Lincoln came away with it. Only then did the linesman blow his whistle and signal touchdown.
- The game clock operations were atrocious. The play clock showed 24 and 40 a couple of times early, but then remained at 0 for the remainder of the game. The play clock was subsequently kept on the field which led to a few delay of game penalties, fortunately all incurred by Lincoln. Several times, the referee had to ask to have time put back on the game clock. And one time, after an incomplete pass, the clock continued to run. The referees may have just given up trying to maintain an accurate clock at that point.
- With a minute remaining in the first half, the Golden Rams started a possession at midfield leading 21-0. A two-yard sack and an incomplete pass still left West Chester 23 seconds and potentially two plays. The offense got conservative by running a draw and then let the clock run out. The Golden Ram lead may have looked comfortable enough at the time to not take a shot, but the second half showed that just wasn't the case.
West Chester Athletic Site - Johnson’s 100-yard Ground Game Highlight’s West Chester’s Win Over Lincoln, 21-13
Lincoln Athletic Site - Second-Half Rally Falls Short as Lincoln Battled West Chester in Season Opener
