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The Lindenwood football team fell just three points short of their first ever national championship as No. 1 Sioux Falls beat the No. 3 Lions, 25-22, to win their second consecutive NAIA National Championship.

Lindenwood's defense played its best game of the season, giving up just one offensive touchdown and holding the Cougars, who came into the game averaging 53.6 points, to their lowest point total of the season. The Lions offense though was also held below their season numbers by the number one defense in the NAIA.

The big difference in the game though was special teams, as a Lindenwood miscue led to a Sioux Falls safety and two big kickoff returns helped the Cougars score their only touchdowns of the game.

Lindenwood won the field position battle in the first quarter but could not take advantage because of numerous small mistakes on the offense side. A dropped pass stalled the team's first drive and led to a punt after a good kickoff return had given the Lions the ball around midfield. Later in the quarter, Lindenwood misplayed the kickoff and was trapped inside the 10 yard line, and on the first play, a bad snap caused Lindenwood to take a safety. The defense was strong early inside Lindenwood territory, allowing just two field goals and having an interception on Sioux Falls' first three drives which gave the Cougars an 8-0 advantage.

Lindenwood's offense finally got things going in its first drive of the second quarter. Richard Murrell kept the drive going with a seven yard rush on fourth and one and the drive ended when Matt Bramow made an acrobat catch in the endzone for a 19-yard touchdown reception. After a three-and-out by Sioux Falls, the Lions quickly took the lead on a three-play 55-yard drive that ended on another Philip Staback touchdown pass to Bramow. Lindenwood's defense made one more first half stand, recovering a fumble on the Sioux Falls five with under a minute remaining in the half, and the Lions went into halftime ahead 14-8.

The two big special team returns by Sioux Falls occurred in the third quarter, starting with the opening kickoff which the Cougars returned 91 yards to go ahead 15-14. Lindenwood took momentum back when Denodus O'Bryant broke off a 45-yard touchdown run, and Staback rushed for the two-point conversion to make it 22-15. Another big kickoff return by the Cougars put the ball deep into Lindenwood territory, and it took Sioux Falls just three plays to tie the game with a two-yard touchdown run.

Both teams appeared poised to score on their next possession, but neither came away with points. O'Bryant broke off another long touchdown run, but had it called back with a holding call, and the Lions eventually punted. Sioux Falls drove down inside the red zone but Dan Carlisle intercepted a pass in the endzone to end that drive and the game went into the fourth tied at 22.

After Carlisle intercepted Lorenzo Brown, the Lion offense went three-and-out and was forced to kick the football back to the Cougars. On the ensuing drive the Cougars converted on a key third down play but the drive would stall at the Lindenwood 24 yard line. Braden Wieking kicked his third field goal of the game, this one a 41-yarder to give the Cougars the lead.

Lindenwood would get the football back on its own 24-yard line. After an eight yard carry by O'Bryant, Staback would rush for a first down. The Lions were stopped on the next three plays and punted the ball away with 7:21 remaining. The Cougars looked ready to run the rest of the clock out, going 13 plays, picking up five first downs, including one on fourth down and one on third. With 1:18 to play, Lindenwood forced a fumble and Carlisle recovered to give Lindenwood one final chance.

The Lions went for it all on the first play with a deep pass to Marcel Thompson, but the throw just overshot the receiver who had a step on his defender. After a three-yard run by O'Bryant, the Lions had a sack and incomplete pass to seal the Cougars' championship.

Lindenwood finished with 233 total yards of offense, compared to 376 for Sioux Falls. The Lions won the turnover margin by three and held Sioux Falls to under 200 yards in the air and on the ground.

Brandon Gould led the defense with eight tackles and an interception. Parks Peterson also had eight tackles, including two for losses and 1.5 sacks, and one pass breakup. Carlisle had two turnovers in the contest.

Staback finished the game completing 16-of-26 passing for 144 yards and two touchdowns. Bramow was the top receiving with five receptions for 56 yards and both touchdown receptions. Thompson also caught five passes for 41 yards. O'Bryant was the leading rusher with 60 yards.

Game Notes: Lindenwood ends the top season in school history with a 13-1 overall record, while Sioux Falls won its 29th straight game and ends the year with a 15-0 mark … Lindenwood's defense did not allow a touchdown in the first quarter for the eighth straight game … Matt Bramow's touchdown receptions were his 11th and 12th of the season, which sets a Lindenwood single-season record … both teams scored a season-low for points in a first-half … Denodus O'Bryant ends the season with exactly 1,000 yards rushing for 2009 … the four sacks by the Lions defense ties a season-high … the three point margin of victory was the closest for a NAIA Championship game since 2004.