The Lindenwood football team ended its 2017 season on Saturday afternoon with a 31-24 loss at home against Central Missouri. The Lions held one of the top offenses in the country down for three quarters, but the Mules scored 17 fourth-quarter points for the victory.
 
Play of the Game
Lindenwood led 24-14 early in the fourth quarter, and Central Missouri took over on its 19-yard line. The Mules completed all four passes on that drive, including a 30-yard touchdown pass play. That 61 second drive gave the Mules momentum for the rest of the game, helping them come-from-behind for the win.
 
Lindenwood's defense

• The Lions held the Mules to 10 points, 134 total offensive yards, 70 rushing yards, and 63 passing yards below their season averages coming into the game.
• Lindenwood had a season-high five sacks and tied a season-high with seven tackles for loss.
• Central Missouri was held to just 5.0 yards per play, including 3.0 yards per rushing attempt.
• The Lions held Central Missouri to seven-of-18 on third-down and fourth-down plays.

 
First Quarter (Lindenwood led 3-0)

• Lindenwood forced a turnover on the Mules' opening possession, which led to a 21-yard field goal by Travis Spraul.
• Both teams advanced to the opponents side of the field on their next possessions, but both drives ended it punts

 
Second Quarter (Lindenwood led 10-7)

• After a Central Missouri punt early in the second quarter, the Lions went on an 82-yard drive to take a 10-0 lead. The drive ended with two straight passes to Deantrell Prince for 25 and 21 yards.
• A Lindenwood turnover late in the quarter led to a short field for Central Missouri. The Mules took advantage with a two-yard rushing touchdown. That was the final points of the half as the teams traded punts the rest of the quarter.

 
Third Quarter (Lindenwood led 17-14)

• Central Missouri tried an onside kick to start the second half, but it went out of bounds. The Lions had to go just 43 yards to make the score 17-7. Calen Campbell had a 24-yard run early in the drive, and then rushed it in from 12 yards out.
• The Mules had a turnover on downs in their next possession, and Lindenwood reached the redzone. The Lions fumbled though, giving the Mules the ball back.
• Central Missouri scored for the second time off a turnover that gave it the ball in Lindenwood territory. The scoring play was a five-yard pass.
• After two three-and-outs, Lindenwood started a drive towards the end of the period.

 
Fourth Quarter (Central Missouri won 31-24)

• A pair of third-down penalties by the Mules helped the Lions extend that drive, and Lindenwood went up 24-14 on a Najee Jackson pass to Kai Collier.
• Central Missouri had its quick drive to get within three points.
• The Lions would punt on its next three possessions. After the second punt, the Mules tied the game on a 47-yard field goal.
• After Lindenwood's final punt, the Mules took over at their 26-yard line. After two straight incomplete passes, Central Missouri completed a tough pass for 20 yards to extend the drive. Five plays later, the Mules scored the game-winning touchdown with 2:07 left in the game.
• Lindenwood had one chance to tie, but a long pass with under 30 seconds remaining was intercepted.

 
Key Team Statistics

• Lindenwood finished with 339 yards of offense, 66 fewer than the Mules, and it also had two more turnovers in the game.
• The Lions held the ball for nearly six more minutes in the contest.

 
Key Individual Statistics

• Jonathan Harris had a big game for the defense, leading the team with 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and two quarterback hurries. He finished with four total tackles.
• Darrius Williams and CJ Bivens both had 10 tackles.
• Drew Seers returned to the lineup and had nine tackles and two quarterback hurries.
• Jackson finished the game with 222 passing yards and two touchdowns. Prince had 102 receiving yards on eight catches.
• Shakeem Wharton was the leading rusher with 58 yards, including 8.3 yards per carry, and Campbell finished with 48.

 
Career Statistics

• Deantrell Prince caught his 100^th career pass in the game, and finished his career ninth on Lindnewood's career receptions list, one pass ahead of teammate Kendell Sparks.

 
Game Notes:

• Lindenwood ends its season with a 4-7 record, winning one more game than the 2016 season. The Mules finished the regular season with an 8-3 mark.
• Lindenwood is now 0-7 all-time against Central Missouri. This game tied for the closest contest between the two programs.
• Campbell finished the season with a team-high 631 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns.
• Jackson finished the season with 2,366 passing yards. He had 16 touchdown passes and four rushing touchdowns.
• Prince was the leading receiving on the season with 52 catches for 738 yards and five touchdowns.
• Williams led the team in tackles, finishing with an even 100 for 2017.
• Harris had team-highs with 8.0 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks.
• Bakari Triggs led the Lions with three interceptions, nine pass breakups, and 12 passes defended.
• Nineteen seniors were honored prior to the game. More information on this group can be found by clicking here