HBCU football returns to the Linc. Meet the four teams competing this weekend.
DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State and Michael Vick’s Norfolk State will face off for a consecutive year, but first comes a Friday night matchup between Lincoln and Virginia Union.
For a consecutive year, HBCU football is coming to South Philadelphia.
Last year, a crowd of 47,266 packed Lincoln Financial Field to watch DeSean Jackson’s Delaware State defeat Michael Vick’s Norfolk State, 27-20, in the HBCU Battle of the Legends game. Those historically Black college and university football programs are slated to match up again on Saturday (3 p.m., ESPN+).
On Friday, Division II Lincoln University will play Virginia Union at Lincoln Financial Field (7 p.m., ESPN+). Both games are part of this year’s One Philly HBCU Week, hosted by the City of Philadelphia and the Eagles. The events kicked off on Tuesday with a Battle of the Bands competition at West Philadelphia High School. Before Friday’s game, there will be a college and job fair, as well as a college and alumni step show. Saturday will include another Battle of the Bands showcase.
To get ready for this weekend, here are the players to know on each team:
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Lincoln (1-7)
Kyrie Tyson
Lincoln’s offense has been powered by one player: Tyson. Through eight games, the senior wide receiver has caught 65 passes for 899 yards and six touchdowns. Tyson also leads the school’s conference, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association, in total receiving yards.
Tyson briefly entered the transfer portal in the offseason before ultimately deciding to return to the Lions.
Charles Thompson
Thompson, a senior linebacker, has been Lincoln’s anchor on defense. The Chester native has compiled a team-high 67 total tackles — good for second in the CIAA. Thompson attended STEM Academy at Showalter and played football at Chester High.
Virginia Union (7-1)
RJ Rosales
Virginia Union boasts the second-best offense in the CIAA, and it is run by fifth-year quarterback Rosales. This season, Rosales has thrown for 1,225 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also has found the end zone twice on the ground. This is Rosales’ second season starting for the Panthers.
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Christian Aiken
South Jersey’s Aiken is a name to watch on Virginia Union’s conference-best defense. The redshirt senior linebacker has accounted for a conference-high 8.5 sacks and 56 total tackles. Aiken, a Paulsboro native, played high school football at Kingsway Regional, Paulsboro, and St. Thomas More. He transferred to Virginia Union following his freshman season at Pace.
Norfolk State (4-4)
Jalyn Daniels
Norfolk State runs the ball a lot, accounting for the second-highest rushing total in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference. Redshirt senior running back Daniels has led the charge, with 686 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. Daniels is averaging 6 yards per rush.
Josiah Davis
Davis originally committed to Florida but saw little game action during his first two seasons with the Gators. The safety, who was granted two redshirt seasons, is finally making plays at Norfolk State. He leads the Spartans in interceptions (three) and has logged 19 total tackles. Norfolk State’s defense leads the MEAC in total interceptions.
Delaware State (4-4)
Jaylin Terzado
Redshirt senior wideout Terzado has been the most consistent player on the Hornets’ offense. In seven games, Terzado has caught 23 passes for 375 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson has employed a multi-quarterback system this season. Last week, three quarterbacks went under center for the Hornets in a 31-12 loss to North Carolina Central.
Carl Nesmith
Senior outside linebacker Nesmith has been a game-wrecker for the Hornets. The Utah State transfer leads the team in sacks with five and has recorded 32 total tackles. Fittingly, Nesmith’s bio on X includes the statement: “I Hate Quarterbacks.”
