JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Xzavier Vaughn threw touchdown passes of 54 and 20 yards, but the Lincoln football team dropped a 62-17 decision to Eastern New Mexico on Thursday night (Oct. 26). 

Vaughn threw for 125 yards overall, including connecting with Nathan Valencia on a 54-yard pass for LU's first score of the day in the opening quarter. Lincoln (0-9) tacked on seven more points in the second quarter after TY Maxwell hauled in a 20-yard pass from Vaughn. Maxwell, who had 47 total yards on the night, had a 22-yard run earlier in the drive to set the Blue Tigers up for the score.

Mo Alwaely kicked a 40-yard field goal in the fourth quarter for Lincoln's final points of the night and averaged 65.0 yards on kickoffs with four touchbacks. Clayton Winkler pinned Eastern New Mexico (4-5) inside its 20 on two of his punts, and Dawan Lomax had a 33-yard kickoff return en route to ending the evening with 58 return yards. 

Valencia led the receiving corps with 77 yards on two receptions, and Omar Allen, who had a pair of 22-yard kick returns, gained a team-high 42 yards on the ground. Blayden Brown and Tobias Williams each caught two passes and LaMarco Yates rushed for 18 yards.

Elijah Juarez (15 tackles) and Cory Macon (12 tackles) had big nights to lead the LU defense while Jamahreon Smith was next with seven takedowns. Donte Moore, who finished with five tackles, had a tackle for loss and a hurry. Ke'Ron Blankumsee broke up a pass and Woodens PierreLouis and Jesse Brown combined on a sack while Bryant Coley, Vez Carter and Ethan Garnett each had five tackles. Michael Harrison also recorded a tackle for loss.

Lincoln will head to Kearney, Neb. on Saturday, Nov. 4 to play Nebraska Kearney in a 12:00 p.m. CDT contest.