The Lindenwood football team fell to Missouri Western on Saturday afternoon in St. Joseph, Mo. by a 40-8 score. The Lions had an uncharacteristic day in protecting the ball as they turned it over five times, including two that Missouri Western returned for touchdowns.
 
Play of the Game
Lindenwood trailed 13-0 after the first quarter, but put together a drive that got down to the Missouri Western three-yard line. Two big losses though pushed the Lions back to the 26-yard line. On third-down, Lindenwood's pass was intercepted on the one-yard line, and returned for a 99-yard touchdown.
 
First-Half Numbers

• The game was decided in the first 30 minutes of play as the Lions trailed 23-0 at halftime.
• Lindenwood was outgained 192-139, including a 170-31 mark in rushing yards.
• The Lions turned the ball over three times, and did not force a turnover.
• Missouri Western scored every time it touched the ball, while Lindenwood had three interceptions and a punt in its full possessions.

 
First Quarter (Missouri Western led 13-0)

• Missouri Western started its first two drives in Lindenwood territory, and used the field position to jump out to a 10-0 lead.
• The Griffons started their third possession on its two-yard line, and picked up a third-and-nine from the four. They would go on and kick a field goal on that drive.

 
Second Quarter (Missouri Western led 23-0)

• Lindenwood had its best drive of the half to start the second quarter, but it ended on a 99-yard interception return touchdown by the Griffons.
• After a Lions punt, Missouri Western ended the half on a 14-play drive that led to another field goal.

 
Third Quarter (Missouri Western led 37-8)

• Lindenwood gained just 18 yards of offense in the quarter, and the Griffons pulled away with two more touchdowns.
• The Griffons scored on their first possession of the half, sparked by a 40-yard run on the first play.
• Lindenwood turned it over two straight times after that, and on the second turnover Missouri Western returned it 25 yards for its second interception return touchdown.
• The Lions got on the scoreboard after that touchdown when Bakari Triggs returned the kickoff 99 yards. Max Meylor ran for a successful two-point conversion.
• Lindenwood forced a quick punt after that score, but the team's next drive stalled near midfield on a turnover on downs.

 
Fourth Quarter (Missouri Western won 40-8)

• Missouri Western kicked a field goal early in the final quarter for the final points of the game.
• Lindenwood's offense continued to be unable to move the ball, as it punted twice in the final quarter.
• The Griffons also punted once, and then ran out the clock on their possession.

 
Career Statistics

• Triggs went over 1,000 career kickoff return yards and now has 1,011. That number is third in Lindenwood history, and just 47 behind Mike Bunton for second on the list.

 
Key Statistics

• Missouri Western outgained the Lions 425-174 in total offense yards. The Griffons had 377 on the ground, compared to 48 for Lindenwood.
• Nate Blanchard had a team-high 15 total tackles. He also forced a fumble, which was recovered by David Knox.
• Triggs was second on the team with nine tackles, and had a team-high 2.0 tackles for loss.
• Najee Jackson threw for 124 yards in the game. Deantrell Prince caught five passes for 38 yards.

 
Game Notes:

• Lindenwood falls to 2-4 on the season, and Missouri Western improves to 4-2.
• Missouri Western now leads the all-time series 4-0, including a 2-0 mark in St. Joseph, Mo.
• Lindenwood lost the turnover battle for the first time in 12 games.
• The Lions pass defense allowed just 48 passing yards, the seventh-fewest single-game yards it has allowed in program history.
• Triggs' kickoff return touchdown was the third-longest in program history, behind two returns of 100 yards by Denodus O'Bryant and Andrew Helmick