The Lindenwood football team opened up its 2017 season with a 35-14 loss to Central Oklahoma.
 
Play of the Game
Lindenwood trailed 21-14 in the third quarter, but nearly tied the game after getting the ball to the Central Oklahoma 10-yard line. The Lions' third-down pass was incomplete, however, and its field goal attempt went wide left. Central Oklahoma would score on its next two drives to put the game away.
 
First Quarter (Tied 7-7)
- Both teams punted on their opening possession, and then scored touchdowns on their next possessions.
- Lindenwood capped a 10-play, 78-yard drive with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Najee Jackson to Deantrell Prince.
 
Second Quarter (UCO led 21-14)
- Lindenwood had its first lead of the game after a Shakeem Wharton 23-yard touchdown run, but the Bronchos scored twice before halftime for a seven-point lead at the break.
- Central Oklahoma took advantage of good field position, as it went just 93 yards on its two touchdown drives.
- At the break, Lindenwood had 180 yards of offense (61 rush, 119 passing), compared to 207 for the Bronchos (110, 97).
 
Third Quarter (UCO led 28-14)
- Lindenwood missed a chance to tie the game on its second possession with an incomplete pass in the endzone midway through the quarter.
- Central Oklahoma answered with an 80-yard drive to go up 28-14.
 
Fourth Quarter (UCO 35-14)
- Central Oklahoma scored early in the fourth quarter in what turned out to be the final points of the game.
- The Bronchos held the ball for 12:45 in the final period.
 
Key Statistics
- Central Oklahoma rushed for 258 yards, compared to 93 for Lindenwood.
- The Bronchos were 12-of-18 on third-down plays, compared to six-of-13 for the Lions.
- Najee Jackson completed 15 passes for 142 yards and one touchdown in his debut as Lindenwood quarterback.
- Arsante Connors had two tackles for loss, including one sack.
- Neither team turned the ball over in the contest.
 
Game Notes
- Lindenwood falls to 0-1 on the season, while Central Oklahoma improves to 1-0.
- Central Oklahoma improves to 3-2 all-time against Lindenwood, and each game has been decided by 17 or more points.
- Lindenwood falls to 15-13 all-time in season openers, and it snaps an eight-game winning streak in season openers.
- Darrius Williams led Lindenwood with 10 tackles, his first double-figure tackle game of his career.