Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team has its biggest game of the young season this Saturday when Central Missouri comes to Harlen C. Hunter Stadium for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff.
- Lindenwood is one of six teams with a 2-0 record in MIAA play after victories over Lincoln and Southwest Baptist. The Mules are 1-1 in conference action after two weeks, but they have played two nationally-ranked teams, including a 31-21 victory over No. 3 Northwest Missouri.
- Last weekend, the Lions defeated Southwest Baptist by a 35-14 margin. The defense recorded a shutout in the second half to help turn a 21-14 halftime score into a three-touchdown victory.
- Lindenwood's defense allowed just one touchdown in the game (the other score was a special teams touchdown for Southwest Baptist), forced four turnovers, and recorded five sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
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Pierre Desir had two interceptions against Southwest Baptist and returned one for a 51-yard touchdown.
- True freshman
Connor Harris led the team in tackles for the second straight week and also had a hand in two turnovers with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
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Malach Radigan had one of the top games of his career with seven tackles. He had 2.5 tackles for loss, including a big solo tackle on a fourth-and-one play in the redzone in the third quarter.
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Denodus O'Bryant had two rushing touchdowns against Southwest Baptist and now owns the school's career record in rushing touchdowns with 30.
- Lindenwood and Central Missouri met last season with the Mules winning by a 47-28 margin. The game was a five-point contest at halftime, but Central Missouri scored 28 points in the third quarter to break the game open.
- With a victory, the Lions will start the year with a 3-0 record for the fourth straight season, and the sixth time in nine years under head coach
Patrick Ross.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranks third in the MIAA in scoring offense (42.0 ppg) and fifth in total offense (429.0).
- Quarterback
Ben Gomez leads the conference with seven touchdown passes. He is second in pass efficiency, and third in passing yards and total offense.
- Running back
Denodus O'Bryant visited the endzone for the 50th time in his career last Saturday. He has 30 rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving, and eight special team scores.
- Wide receiver
Andrew Helmick is nearing 100 career receptions. He needs just four more to become the sixth player in Lindenwood history to reach that milestone.
- Wide receiver
Matt Angell had a career game against Southwest Baptist. He caught five passes for 127 yards, and he had one touchdown. The senior has two touchdowns after rebounding from last year's injury.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood's defense leads the MIAA by allowing just 261.5 total yards a game. The Lions are seventh in scoring defense by allowing 21.0 points a game.
- The Lions also lead the conference in sacks with 10. Missouri Western is second with eight. Lindenwood has 23 tackes for loss.
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Cody Reider and
Joe Day each have a team-high 2.0 sacks on the year. Day,
Malach Radigan, and
Sean Gracy all have a team-high 3.0 tackles for loss.
- Lindenwood is holding teams to just six-of-34 on third-down conversions (18%).
- Lindenwood has forced five turnovers on the season, including four last weekend in its home opener.
Lions Special Teams
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James Neal is a perfect 12-of-12 on the season on PATs. He has not attempted a field goal yet.
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Edward Burns is averaging 37.7 yards on nine punt attempts.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood will have a unique Friday night game on Sept. 21 when it hosts Glenville State at 7:00 p.m. in a non-conference contest.
About Central Missouri
- Central Missouri opened the season with a 38-26 loss against Missouri Western, but bounced back with a 31-21 win over Northwest Missouri.
- Quarterback Colter Smith has completed 66.7 percent of his passes for 551 yards and six touchdowns.
- LaVance Taylor is averaging 98.0 rushing yards a game.
- Patrick Lewis leads the team with 19 tackles, two more than Joe Carter.
MIAA Notes
- This week's conference players of the week were: Colter Smith, Central Missouri (offense), Joe Carter, Central Missouri (defense), and Matt Jordan, Central Missouri (special teams).
- Four MIAA schools are nationally ranked by the AFCA: Pittsburg State (No. 1), Missouri Western (No. 8), Washburn (No. 9), and Northwest Missouri (No. 13). Central Missouri is receiving votes.
