Box Score Lindenwood's defense and special teams picked up the offense on Saturday night in Hays, Kan. and helped the Lions football team win by a 20-17 margin over Fort Hays State.

The Lions lost starting quarterback Ben Gomez on the first series of the game and the offense had trouble putting points on the board. The defensive and special team units came up big though, including forcing two game-changing turnovers in the final eight minutes of the game.

Lindenwood trailed 17-13 midway through the fourth quarter and it was forced to punt the ball. Fort Hays State muffed the punt and Justin Broome recovered it at the 15-yard line. Three plays later, Marvin Byrd had a one-yard rushing touchdown that put Lindenwood up for the first time in the second half.

Fort Hays State put together a long drive on its next possession and had first-and-goal from the Lindenwood four-yard line. On the next play, Pierre Desir intercepted a pass on a fade pass in the corner of the endzone with just 1:17 remaining in the game. Lindenwood went three-and-out on its next possession but Fort Hays State did not have enough time to mount another drive.

Backup quarterback Taylor Jasin and the Lions moved the ball in the first half but could only put up 13 points. The Lions kicked a field goal on their first possession but turned it over on downs the next two times it touched the ball. After the second turnover on downs, Fort Hays State scored a touchdown to go up 7-3.

Another Lindenwood field goal got the team within 7-6 and the Lions took a 13-7 lead with a history-making drive. On the first play, Andrew Helmick recorded a 68-yard reception that made him Lindenwood's career leader in receiving yards. The very next play, Helmick scored on an 18-yard touchdown reception which tied him for first at Lindenwood in career receiving touchdowns.

Fort Hays State retook the lead with a touchdown in the final minute of the half. The Tigers kicked a field goal for the only points of the third quarter before Lindenwood's game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Lindenwood finished the game with 452 total yards of offense, compared to 373 for the Tigers. The Lions forced five turnovers in the game and had just one. Lindenwood was just three-of-six in the red zone, compared to three-of-four for the Tigers.

Connor Harris led Lindenwood with 14 tackles, including two for losses, and Cody Fogle had 10 tackles, including 1.5 for losses. Desir intercepted two passes and Joe Day had a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Chris Floyd also had a fumble recovery and Malach Radigan forced a fumble. Day and Cody Reider each had a sack.

Jasin completed 24-of-39 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown. Denodus O'Bryant had a rare game without a touchdown, but he had 96 rushing yards and 49 receiving yards. Helmick finished with 99 receiving yards.

Game Notes: Lindenwood improves to 5-1 on the season and 4-1 in MIAA play … Fort Hays State falls to 1-5 overall and 1-5 in conference action … Andrew Helmick now has 2,078 career receiving yards and 24 career receiving touchdowns … Taylor Jasin threw the first touchdown pass of his career and set career-best in completions and passing yards … Pierre Desir has six interceptions on the season which ties Lindenwood's single-season record … James Neal remains perfect on the season with 27 PATs and four field goals … Lindenwood travels to Emporia State next week for a 2:00 p.m. game against the undefeated Hornets.