LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA. (April 21, 2009) – Third-year Lincoln University of Pennsylvania football coach Olabaniji Abanishe is looking forward to the 2009 season after concluding spring practice last week. The Lions are improved and much more experienced than the group that finished its first season in 48 years with a 1-9 record.
“You can tell our returning veterans are a seasoned group as far as understanding what we’re trying to accomplish on offense and defense,” Abanishe said. “They have an understanding of what it takes to compete at (a high Division II) level. I believe the potential is there to have a good year. They’ve been working hard in the classroom, weight room and on the field.”
On the field, Abanishe was pleased with many areas of his team during the spring. The Lions’ annual spring game was one for the memory books with the Blue edging the White, 17-14 on a touchdown catch by Shawn Bethea as time expired. That came 18 seconds after Osasuyi Obazee caught a touchdown pass that gave his team a 14-10 advantage.
With Bethea and Obazee on the field along with the ever-improving Anthony Wilson, the Lions have a talented wide receiving core that has the potential to be stronger than last season’s. Denorris Griffin, who was a lineman last year, has moved to tight end and should become a bigger part of Lincoln’s offense.
Lincoln also has the luxury of using the versatile Trey Thomas and D’Ante Smith in the passing game. Both players were take-it-to-the-house threats each time they touched the ball. They combined for 78 catches last season.
“We’ve limited Trey and D’Ante’s reps during the spring because we know they will play well once the season begins,” Abanishe said. “I was focused on getting some of the other players some experience and I felt like we accomplished that. I believe moving Denorris to tight end adds another dimension to our offense and Anthony Wilson has been our most consistent receiver.”
The linebackers also brought a smile to Abanishe’s face. Sophomore Brucelee Sterile and junior Brandon McElwee were two of the top tacklers in Division II last season. In combining for 187 tackles, Sterile (97) and McElwee (90) would’ve finished first and second, respectively in the CIAA last season in tackling. Gerald Foster, who returned an interception for a touchdown in the Spring game, Tim Green and Michael Adjei provide depth. All five players could see significant action this season.
“Michael Adeji had the best spring and we’re looking for some really good things from him this season,” Abanishe said. “Our linebackers are a very experienced group and I really expect them to do some good things throughout the season.”
The offensive and defensive lines were solid during the spring. Anchored by Frank Lee, Shawn Hart, Abselom Lopez and Jordan Jones, Lincoln has strengthend this area with the additions of Maurice Gooden and Tokumba Pratt-Davie.
“Our offensive line was decent last year,” Abanishe said. “We also have some quality defensive lineman that will add size. Our biggest challenge last year was our lack of experience. You know, everything was a new situation last year: First road game, first conference game, first homecoming and etc. Now we know what to expect.”
The schedule is very friendly this season with six home games and seven of the 10 in the state of Pennsylvania, including its opening game with rival Cheyney University on August 29, 2009. The Lions will play three straight home games against the University of New Haven (Sept. 5), Southern Virginia (Sept. 12) and Shaw (Sept. 19). Lincoln’s homecoming will be on October 10 against Virginia Union University.
“Our biggest thing was to recruit and build on what we didn’t do well from last year,” Abanishe said. “At the same time, we knew it was our first year and we expected to have some bumps, but we looked at a lot of film and we plan to correct those things that were wrong and go from there. I am excited about the season and I believe we’ll be competitive.”
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