LHU football opens with 20-0 win over Lincoln
COATESVILLE, PA – The Lock Haven University football team (1-0) opened the 2021 season and a new era for the program in dominating fashion, thanks to a 20-0 shutout-win over Lincoln University (0-1) in a Saturday night game that was played at Coatesville High School. It marked the season-opener for both teams.
The Bald Eagles officially ushered in a new era as it marked the first game coached by John Kelling. Kelling was named LHU’s new head coach back in January 2020. The win gave the aforementioned Kelling his first collegiate victory.
The theme that came along with tonight’s dominating victory was “first” as the win marked Lock Haven’s first season-opening road-win since 2005 at Cheyney and the first victory by way of shutout in a season-opener since 1981. It also served as the Bald Eagles first road win since the 2018 season-finale. The Haven’s last win by shutout came in 2017.
The Bald Eagles tremendous defensive effort paved the way to victory. LHU limited Lincoln to just 153 total yards, including only 37 on the ground.
Leading the way was Shane Scott (Mount Laurel, N.J./Lenape), who had a team-high seven tackles. Justin Anderson (Maplewood, N.J./Columbia) had six tackles, including 2.5 sacks. Darryl Pollard (Philadelphia/Upper Darby) had five tackles and an interception. Pollard’s 73-yard interception return set up a Lock Haven touchdown.
Quarterback Ethan Persa (Schnecksville, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) threw for a touchdown (8-for-19, 88 yards & 1 INT).
Justin White (Philadelphia/Ben Franklin) hauled in a 40-yard TD catch and both Dante Graham (West Chester, Pa./Unionville) and DeAndre Wakefield (Norristown, Pa./Souderton) rushed for a score. Graham carried the ball 12 times for 54 yards and Wakefield rushed for 39 yards on seven attempts.
Heading into the opener, the Bald Eagles had 20 freshmen listed on their two-deep depth chart and a number of those newcomers made an immediate impact.
Back in 2019, Lock Haven opened the season at home vs. Lincoln. The Bald Eagles earned a lopsided 57-13 victory. With Saturday’s win, LHU improved to 4-0 all-time. In all, three of the four wins all-time vs. Lincoln have come by way of shutout. The Bald Eagles shut out Lincoln in back-to-back seasons back in 1947 and 1948.
The Saturday season-opener marked the first of the three straight games away from home. The Bald Eagles will head to California (Pa.) University for Week-2 action next Saturday, September 11. Next week’s game at Cal marks the first of two straight vs. Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Western Division opponents. During Week-3 (Sept. 18), Lock Haven will travel to nationally-ranked Slippery Rock.
