MARYVILLE, Mo. - The Lincoln football team fell to Northwest Missouri in its first afternoon game of 2023 on Saturday (Sept. 23). The Bearcats beat the Blue Tigers, 59-0.

Northwest Missouri (2-2) scored three touchdowns in each of the first two quarters and held Lincoln (0-4) to under 100 yards of total offense. Lincoln's best chance to score came late in the second quarter when LU lined up to try a 46-yard field goal, but the attempt was blocked.

Clayton Winkler had a 71-yard punt and averaged 39.5 yards for the afternoon while Mo Alwaely averaged 65.0 yards on kickoffs. Xzavier Vaughn and Jaylen Thomas combined to throw for 48 yards while Jareese Howard was the top rusher with 14 yards. Jermarri Watson caught two passes for 27 yards.

On defense, Adrian Hopper and Ian Hackney each made eight tackles, with Hopper also tallying 1.5 tackles for loss. Zenin Hall, Ishaq Robinson and J'Addison Brown each made tackles for loss, and Ramar Smith broke up a pass. Hopper and Donte Moore combined for a sack while Bryant Coley finished with seven tackles and Elijah Juarez and Michael Harrison each finished with six.

Lincoln remains on the road to play Fort Hays State in Hays, Kan. at 7:00 p.m. CDT next Saturday (Sept. 30).