Complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
Lindenwood will takes its perfect record across the state line for the first time this season when the Lions travel to Lamoni, Iowa this Saturday for an afternoon contest against Graceland. A victory over the Yellowjackets will give the No. 3 Lions a share of its third HAAC Championship over the last six seasons.
Lindenwood had one of its closest games of the season last week with a 41-31 victory over a Benedictine squad that always plays the Lions close. While the final score was closer than most, Lindenwood's undefeated season was not threatened much as the Lions led by 10 or more points for all of the second half.
Lindenwood's offense put up over 400 yards of offense and scored five touchdowns despite touching the ball just nine times, and the special teams scored another touchdown. The big concern against the Ravens was a defense that allowed over 500 yards, but they redeemed themselves a bit by picking off two passes in the endzone, leading to 14 points off turnovers.
Graceland has one of the top running backs in the HAAC in Jerome Messam, but hasn't been able to generate much other offense as the Yellowjackets are averaging just 15.8 points and 232.4 yards of offense a game. Defensively, the team is allowing 40.0 points a game in its five losses.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
-?clinch a share of the 2009 HAAC Championship.
-?improve the program to 105-110 all-time.
-?improve the Lions to 53-16 under head coach Patrick Ross.
-?increase Lindenwood's conference winning streak to 18 games.
-?be the Lions' sixth consecutive victory over Graceland.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
-?drop the program to 104-111 all-time.
-?drop the Lions to 52-17 under head coach Patrick Ross.
-?drop Lindenwood to 4-1 on the road in 2009 and 4-4 all-time in Lamoni.
-?snap the fourth-longest winning streak in Lindenwood history.
Offensive School Records
Lindenwood will shatter the school's scoring average record this season and is just 73 points away from tying the record for most points.
The Lions also remain on pace to break the current NAIA record of 54.7 points a game
Fleming Moves Up List
With his touchdown last weekend, Rudy Fleming moved into sole possession of second place on Lindenwood's career touchdown reception list. In just two seasons, Fleming has 16 touchdown receptions, five shy of the career record.
Fleming also has 1,617 career receiving yards. He needs 33 more to move into second place on that list, and 292 to break the career mark.
Staback's Streak Ends
Philip Staback's streak of not throwing an interception ended last week at 100 passing attempts. On the season, he has just four interceptions, or one every 46.8 passing attempts.
He went over 200 passing yards last week for the sixth time, and he has been a part of 25 touchdowns this season, with 20 passing and five rushing.
Offensive Line Play
A game after allowing a season-high three sacks against Culver-Stockton, the Lindenwood offensive line stepped up and did not allow a sack versus Benedictine. The line is a big reason why the Lions are on pace to set a school record with 216.5 rushing yards a game.
I-N-T
The Lions defense is third in the HAAC with 13 interceptions, one behind the co-leaders. Ten different players have picked off passes this year, including two each by Cody Fogle and Brandon Gould.
Lindenwood got a boost last week by the return of Adarrious Ross, who had three passes breakups.
Few Points Allowed
Against the lowest ranked offensive teams in the HAAC, the Lions defense has been tough to score on. Against three of the five bottom teams in scoring offense, Lindenwood is allowing 7.7 points a game. The other two teams are Lindenwood's opponents the next two weeks.
Kickoff Returns
Lindenwood continues to lead the NAIA with 29.2 yards per kickoff return and has five kickoff touchdowns in 2009.
Grabbing Early Leads
Lindenwood has scored first in every game this season and normally has never given up that early lead. The Lions have played 480 minutes in 2009 and have held the lead for over 426 of those minutes. Lindenwood has been tied for over 39 minutes and been trailing on the scoreboard for just 14:06, all in the Missouri Valley contest.
Up Next
Lindenwood concludes its regular season at home on Nov. 14 with a 1:30 p.m. game against William Jewell.
About The Yellowjackets
Graceland opened the 2009 season with a pair of wins, but lost its next five games after that. In that losing streak, the team went three straight weeks with scoring seven points or less. Graceland returned to the win column last week versus Culver-Stockton.
Jerome Messam is the team leader, averaging 98.8 rushing yards a game and having eight touchdowns. He is 11th in the NAIA in rushing yards per game and is averaging a touchdown a game.
Scotty Roth is averaging just 89.7 passing a game and has four touchdowns and seven interceptions. Geoffrey Browning has caught 25 passes and Jerremi Byrd has hauled in 19.
Cameron Willkomm leads the defense with 77 tackles, including 11 for losses. Chad Belt is second with 68 tackles and has had a hand in four turnovers.
Last Week
Graceland trailed Culver-Stockton 15-13 late in its game last Saturday but a 20-yard touchdown run by Jerome Messam put Graceland ahead for good at 20-15 with 2:58 remaining in the contest.
Neither team reached the 100 yard mark passing but each found success on the ground. For the Yellowjackets, Messam had 70 yards and two touchdowns, and Dirinna Uwakwe added 76 yards. Scotty Roth threw for 92 yards, including six completions to Geoff Browning for 56 yards.
Cameron Willkomm had 13 tackles, two tackles for loss and two forced fumbles.
Head Coach Cris Welch
Cris Welch is in his seventh year at Graceland. The former Boston College recruiting coordinator has finished at .500 or better in five years at his alma mater.
