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MARYVILLE, Mo. - Vontavious Thacker had a pick-six and Quan Mason recorded a safety, but the Lincoln football team fell to Northwest Missouri, 56-9, on Saturday (Oct. 26).

Thacker's interception and 52-yard return for a score gave the Blue Tigers a 7-0 lead over Northwest Missouri (7-1, 7-1 MIAA), which entered the game ranked No. 14 in the American Football Coaches Association's Division II poll. The Bearcats responded with a quick scoring drive, and it was a 7-7 game entering the second quarter.

The Bearcat offense came to life in the second period, out-scoring Lincoln (1-7, 1-7 MIAA), 28-0, to take a 35-7 advantage at halftime. In the second half, Bri'on Sanders forced and recovered a fumble on NWMSU's opening kickoff to give Lincoln the first offensive drive of the third quarter. A big goal-line stand by the Bearcats, however, kept LU out of the end zone.

Lincoln would still come up with the first points of the second half, though. Mason tackled the Bearcat running back in the end zone of the first play of Northwest Missouri's ensuing possession to give the Blue Tigers two more points on the afternoon.

Thacker led the Lincoln defense with six tackles. Chavon Gross, who broke up a pass, and TeAndre Skinner, who was credited with a hurry, had four takedowns apiece. Hasan Muhammad-Rogers and Mason each also had four tackles, while Michael Smith registered a sack and Dawson Brandt had a tackle for loss.

Chancellor Johnson completed 10 passes for 66 yards, and Hosea Franklin had 47 yards to lead the LU rushing attack. Jerrin McKeithen caught four passes for 35 yards.

The Blue Tigers return home next Saturday (Nov. 2) to host Fort Hays State at 1:00 p.m. CT.