By David Shaw
dshaw@salisburypost.com
The window of opportunity was left ajar for Livingstone’s football team on Saturday.
But the Blue Bears slammed it shut on their fingers, spoiling interim coach Eric Brown’s debut in a 10-0 CIAA loss at Alumni Stadium.
“It’s all about finishing,” said Brown, who replaced Lamonte Massie, who was fired last Monday. “When we are able to finish plays, we’ll be able to win games.”
LC (0-5, 0-2) suffered its third consecutive shutout, largely because it squandered three scoring chances inside the Lincoln 10-yard line.
“Every day, Monday-through-Friday in practice we work as hard as we can on game situations,” sophomore Chris Peoples said after making eight receptions for 132 yards. “But you can tell by the games on Saturday we still have a lot of things to fix. I thought we had this one in the box, but I guess we still have work to do.”
Livingstone gained 207 yards on a rain-soaked field, but only four on the ground. The Blue Bears have yet to run for a touchdown this season and are averaging fewer than nine yards rushing per game.
“We knew they struggled to establish the running game in their other losses,” Lincoln coach O.J. Abanishe said after the Lions (3-2, 1-1) racked up 393 total yards. “But they’re a young team with a young (offensive) line. If their kids stick around, they’ll have a good team very soon.”
Livingstone was a better team without the ball. It’s defense forced four turnovers and thwarted three red-zone chances. Linebacker Justin Johnson had 10 tackles and cornerback Devonta Harmon made the team’s first 2009 interception and returned it 24 yards in the third quarter.
But none of it compensated for LC’s misfires from close range. The first came early in the third period after defenders Kevin Shelf and Sebastian Hepburn pressured Lincoln punter Ameer Allen into a fourth-down scramble. The Blue Bears took over on the LU 23 and advanced to the seven when quarterback Steven Williams spiraled a pass to Peoples. With four cracks at the end zone, LC’s first points since Sept. 5 seemed imminent.
“It would have been such a boost to our confidence,” Peoples said.
Three incompletions later, the Blue Bears were still searching. They set up for a 24-yard field goal attempt by Franklin Paris, a freshman subbing for injured regular Jordan Beckham. But instead of taking the easy three points, Brown called for a fake and holder Bryan Aycoth’s bullet pass to the 6-foot-5 Peoples sailed over his head and out of the end zone.
“We put Chris in there for that reason ó to win that jump ball,” said Aycoth, a West Rowan graduate. “I just threw it too far. It was a chance to throw a touchdown but I didn’t capitalize.”
Moments later Aycoth ó who split playing time with Williams ó had a chance at redemption. This time the Blue Bears advanced to the Lincoln 8, but on fourth-and-goal he missed intended receiver Jamel Moore.
There was one more Livingstone letdown. Down 10-0 in the fourth quarter, defensive back Akeem Deloatch recovered a fumble on the Lincoln 34. When Williams (14-for-23, 137 yards) fired a 29-yard sideline completion to Peoples, the Blue Bears had a first down from the one. But one snap later the quarterback bobbled an exchange from center and Lincoln’s Jaron Bailey recovered, ending Livingstone’s final threat with 7:24 to play.
“This hurt,” said Deloatch, who made seven tackles and knocked down two passes. “Nobody likes losing. Nobody. All we can do is get better from here.”
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NOTES: Lincoln, located 40 miles from Philadelphia, will officially join the CIAA next season. Although its games count in the league standings, the Lions are not eligible for post-season play. … Aycoth completed seven passes for 66 yards, including a 35-yarder to Peoples in the second period. … Williams, with 309 career completions, is approaching the school record of 341. … Livingstone will host Johnson C. Smith next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the 117th annual Commemorative Classic.