The Central Methodist Football program lost a hard-fought game at Lincoln University Saturday evening in the season opener, falling 27-11 to open the new season 0-1.

Central’s defense scored a rare safety on Lincoln’s opening drive. After forcing a quick three-and-out on the game’s opening possession, a fumble in the end zone gave the Eagles a quick 2-0 advantage.

Lincoln countered with a touchdown at the 7:31 mark of the first quarter to take a 7-2 lead. Near the end of the first quarter, the Eagles forced a missed field goal, keeping the contest at a one-possession game. 

With 32 seconds remaining in the frame, AJ Donovan hit Kason Clark for an 18-yard gain and a first down. Central made it to the 4-yard line before Cristobal Salgado converted a 21-yard field goal through the uprights, making the score 7-5. That finished off an 11-play, 80-yard drive that took 4:46 off the clock. 

Trailing 14-5, the Eagles embarked on a 13-play drive that consumed 6:48 while covering 66 yards. After stalling at the 9-yard line, Central missed a 26-yard field goal as the teams went into intermission separated by two points. 

After a fourth-down stop by the Eagles’ defense, Central took over at its own 31-yard line at the 12:27 mark in the fourth. On third and three, Moses Ross II hauled in an 11-yard pass from Jordan Gile. Facing a fourth-and-10 at the 49-yard line, Brayden Matheney hit Elijah Crutch for a 51-yard touchdown, making it 20-11. 
Central stopped the home squad and got the ball back at its own 30-yard line. Matheney hit Tobias Williams for a 20-yard gain. Two plays later, Kason Clark scampered 30 yards for a first down. After a 12-yard strike to Williams put the ball in the red zone, the Eagles got to the eight-yard line. However, Central was intercepted on third-and-six, thwarting the drive.

Lincoln countered with a touchdown, pushing the margin to 16 at 27-11 for the final score.

Central posted 364 total yards on the night, including 215 through the air spread between three quarterbacks. The squad controlled the clock for 33:05.

For the game, Donovan completed seven passes for 65 yards. Gile had six completions for 67 yards, while Matheney had three completions for 83 yards and a score.

Crutch hauled in four passes for 75 yards and a score. Williams tied for the team lead with four receptions for 54 yards. On the ground, Clark rushed for a team-best 130 yards on 22 carries.

Defensively, Treyvion Hourel Jr. posted a team-best seven tackles. Terrell Woods had six stops, including a team-leading three solo tackles. Jonathan Milton had a sack, while Ashton Fowler registered an interception. 

The Eagles return to the road Saturday at No. 1 Grand View for a noon kickoff in Des Moines, Iowa. Central debuts at home at 1 p.m. next Saturday, September 12, against Graceland.