complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
Lindenwood opens up its 2009 season this Saturday, travelling to Springfield, Mo. to take on Evangel in a HAAC contest.
When the ball is kicked off in that game, it will have been 274 days since the Lions lost a NAIA Semifinal contest versus Carroll. Lindenwood fell by one point after a missed two-point conversion in the final minute, but gained national respect after nearly pulling off the upset against the NAIA powerhouse.
Besides serving as motivation for this year's Lions team, the near national championship game miss last year has led to high expectations. Lindenwood is ranked third in the NAIA poll, its highest preseason ranking in school history, and is the favorite to win the HAAC.
Lindenwood returns 15 starters and six first-team all-HAAC performers from a year ago. Rudy Fleming is the star on offense after shattering the school's single-season receiving records last year. Linebacker Logen Wright and cornerback Brandon Gould are the returning leaders on the defensive side.
The Lions' first test of the season will be an Evangel squad that was picked to finish in the middle of the pack in the HAAC. The Crusaders went 4-6 in conference play last year and tied for sixth-place.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 97-110 all-time.
- improve the Lions to 45-16 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- improve Lindenwood to 8-12 all-time in season openers, including a 3-3 mark under Patrick Ross.
- be the fourth straight victory over Evangel and the second win all-time in Springfield.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 96-111 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 44-17 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- be the team's second straight loss during its season opener.
- be the second time in the last four years that Evangel won its season opener.
Who's Under Center
The biggest question mark for Lindenwood will be at the quarterback position where the Lions have to replace four-year starter Ben Kisner. Philip Staback is expected to be the new starter on Saturday.
Staback comes to the Lions via San Diego Mesa College. Last season in 10 games, he threw for 2,166 yards and 28 touchdowns. He completed 54.5% of his passes and had 11 interceptions. Staback also rushed for 225 yards and five scores. He helped San Diego Mesa win six of its final seven games.
As a senior at West Hills High School, Staback threw for 2,800 yards. He threw 29 touchdown passes and rushed for six other touchdowns.
Number two on the depth chart is David Ortega. As a senior at Palo Verde High School, he threw for over 300 yards a game and had 40 touchdowns versus just six interceptions.
Fleming Leads Receivers
Rudy Fleming shattered every Lion single-season receiving record last season. He finished with 67 receptions for 1,056 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Offensive Line
The Lions offensive line has been one of the best in the NAIA the last two years. In 820 passing attempts in that span, the line has given up just 17 sacks, or one every 48 attempts.
Three starters return from 2008, although Rimington Award winner Jeff Hynes won't be available until mid-season.
Lions Defense
The Lions defense allowed over 21 points just two times last year during the regular season. Four times, Lindenwood held an opponent to single-digit points.
Leading Defenders
Lindenwood returns its top three tacklers from a year ago in Brandon Gould, Logen Wright and Dan Carlisle. All three had 70 or more tackles. Gould also led the team in interceptions with five, one more than another returner Adarrious Ross. Ross also had a team-high eight pass breakups.
The big defensive category that Lindenwood will need new production in is pressuring the quarterback. The Lions lost nearly 70% of their sack production, including leader Billy Ray Uren.
Kicking Game
Lindenwood should have one of the top kicking games in the NAIA in 2009. Halley Ferrell, Lindenwood's all-time leader in field goals made, will handle the placekicking duties. Nick Somes returns as the punter after leading the HAAC in average last season.
Coaching Winning Pct.
Head coach Patrick Ross has an all-time winning percentage of .716, fifth among active NAIA coaches.
Up Next
Lindenwood has its home opener on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. against Central Methodist. The Eagles went 3-8 overall and 3-7 in the HAAC.
About The Crusaders
Evangel's 2008 season ended in disappointment as the team dropped its final three games, a streak starting with a loss to Lindenwood, to finish 4-7 overall.
Evangel's offense will be led by its passing game. Richie Roepke returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,412 yards and eight touchdowns in nine games. His favorite target was Edward Sands, who had 36 catches for 635 yards and seven touchdowns last year.
Defensively, the Crusaders return the core of its front seven. Leading that group is two-time all-conference linebacker Andrew Matrone. Other all-conference performers include linebacker Beau Grech and lineman Ryan Chaffin. Grech recorded 104 tackles, second in the HAAC, and Chaffin had a team-high six sacks.
Turnover Battle
Over the last four years, Evangel has finished in the top three in the HAAC in turnover margin three times.
Last season, the Crusaders were second by turning the ball over just 17 times, and third with a +8 turnover margin.
EU At Home
Evangel has finished .500 or better at home in each of the last five seasons and has a 16-10 record on its home field in that span.
Head Coach Scott Metcalf
Scott Metcalf is in his eighth season as Evangel head coach. He has a career record of 41-34 at the school and won one HAAC Championship.
