LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, PA — Mikhail Johnson (Darby, Pa./Bonner-Prendy) rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown as visiting West Chester built a 21-point halftime lead before holding off Lincoln, 21-13, Saturday evening at Coleman Field.
 
The Golden Rams (1-0) dominated the first half, scoring three touchdowns on the ground while limiting Lincoln (0-1) to just 82 yards of total offense before the break. West Chester finished the night with 180 net rushing yards. With the win, WCU head coach Duke Greco picked up his 100th career victory.
 
Johnson provided the game's biggest offensive play for the Golden Rams, breaking loose for a 67-yard run that set up the team's first score. He capped the scoring drive with an 8-yard TD run from eight yards out with just nine seconds remaining in the first quarter.
 
Starting QB, Jack Pellicciotti (Marriottsville, Md./Liberty), extended West Chester's lead in the second quarter with a seven-yard TD run with 9:04 remaining in the first half that doubled the visitor's lead to 14-0.
 
Pellicciotti finished the night 9 of 15 for 67 yards through the air.
 
The Golden Rams struck again late in the half when quarterback, Tyler Douglas (Ocean, N.J./Ocean Twp.), broke free for an 18-yard run and later ran in from five yards out to increase West Chester's lead to 21-0.
 
West Chester's defense kept Lincoln off the scoreboard through the opening 30 minutes, but the Lions mounted a comeback in the second half that eventually fell short.
 
Running back, Future Robertson (Philadelphia, Pa./Roman Catholic) added 31 yards on the ground on eight carries, and Douglas finished with 25 rushing yards on three attempts.
 
Defensively, the Golden Rams forced one turnover as Luke Trunell (Yardley, Pa./Conwell-Egan) intercepted a tipped pass and returned it 17 yards to give West Chester the ball deep in Lincoln territory. Senior DE Solo Bambara (Philadelphia, Pa./Neumann-Goretti) batted the pass up in the air. Bambara knocked down three passes on the evening.
 
R-Jr., Free Safety, Jamir Reyes (Philadelphia, Pa./Imhotep Charter), led the squad with seven tackles on the night.
 
The Golden Rams open their home slate next Saturday evening against nationally ranked Indiana (Pa.) at Farrell Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. West Chester and the Killinger Foundation will introduce its hall of fame class that night as well.