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Storyline
Lindenwood faces its first major test of 2009 this week when it travels to a hostile environment to take on Missouri Valley, the No. 13 team in the NAIA.
The Lions and Vikings have been rivals since Lindenwood's second season of existence but the stakes of the series have never been higher than the last couple of years as both programs have been national contenders. The winner of this matchup the last three season has gone on and reached the semifinal round in the Football Championship Series.
One battle to keep an eye on this week is Lindenwood's run game versus Missouri Valley's run defense. The Lions are averaging over 300 rushing yards a game, while the Vikings are holding opponents to negative rushing yards for the season.
Lindenwood displayed its big play ability last week during a 66-23 victory over Central Methodist. The Lions set a school record with 640 yards of total offense and had four touchdowns over 50 yards, including three by Denodus O'Bryant.
Missouri Valley enters the game 2-0 on the season after wins over Baker and Culver-Stockton. Besides a defense that has allowed only one touchdown, the Vikings offense is putting up 43.5 points and 442.5 yards of offense a game.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 99-110 all-time.
- improve the Lions to 47-16 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- be the fourth time in Lindenwood history that its starts a season 3-0, including the third time under Patrick Ross.
- be the first victory in 2009 over a ranked opponent.
- be the program's second straight win over Missouri Valley and the fourth in the last six years.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 98-111 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 46-17 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- drop the Lions to 1-7 all-time in Marshall, Mo.
- be the second straight loss to a ranked opponent.
O'Bryant Highlights
Denodus O'Bryant has only touched the ball 13 times in his Lindenwood career, but has already made an impressive highlight reel.
O'Bryant has carried the ball 11 times for 245 yards, an average of 22.3 yards per carry. Three of his rushes have been touchdown runs of 58, 59 and 82 yards, and he has only been tackled for less than five yards three times.
O'Bryant, who has a total of five touchdowns in his 13 touches, also has a 73-yard kickoff return and a 40-yard pass reception.
Passing Efficiency
Philip Staback ranks in the Top 10 in the nation in pass efficiency with a 176.9 mark. He is completing over 60% of his passes for 213 yards a game. He has four touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
Staback's passes have been spread out, with his top five targets having four to six receptions on the season. Three of those receivers, Rudy Fleming, Matt Angell, and Marcel Thompson are averaging over 20 yards per reception.
Freshman Defender
Another redshirt freshman has made a big impact, this one on the defensive side. Parks Peterson changed the momentum of the Evangel contest with a 65-yard interception touchdown. Last week, he was named the HAAC Defensive Player of the Week. Peterson had 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, a 15-yard sack, and a pass breakup.
All-Around Defender
Brandon Gould, an honorable mention All-American last season, is making a huge defensive impact once again. In the opener, he had four tackles, including one for a loss. Last week, Gould had two tackles, one interception, one pass breakup and blocked a field goal attempt.
Nation's Leader
Placekicker Halley Ferrell leads the nation's kickers with 10.5 points a game. He is a perfect 18-of-18 in PAT tries and one-of-two on field goals, with the miss coming from 46 yards out.
Running Vs. The Vikings
In four out of the last five years, the Lindenwood's running game has been the key stat against Missouri Valley. In losses in 2006 and 2007, Lindenwood was limited to 19 rushing yards. In wins in 2004 and 2008, the Lions compiled over 200 rushing yards. The lone exception came in 2005 when Lindenwood was held under 100 yards (85) and still won.
School Records vs. CMU
Lindenwood set a school record last week with 640 yards of total offense, with 287 yards rushing and 353 yards passing. The Lions also set a record with 24 points in the third quarter.
Up Next
Lindenwood will host its biggest regular season home game of the season when it welcome No. 7 MidAmerica Nazarene to Hunter Stadium.
About The Vikings
Missouri Valley moved up to 13th in the national rankings this week after opening up the year with two straight wins. The Vikings were picked second in the preseason HAAC poll, behind only Lindenwood.
The Vikings are known for always having one of the top defenses in the NAIA and 2009 appears to be no different. Missouri Valley's defense has only allowed one touchdown late in the lopsided Baker contest.
Offensively, Chris White has thrown for over 200 yards a game and has a 5:1 touchdown to interception ratio. Sterling Hardin averages 88.5 yards rushing and has four rushing scores. Tommi Pinta is the top receiver with nine catches for 117 yards.
Last Week
Missouri Valley cruised to a victory over Culver-Stockton last week, winning 53-0.
The Vikings defense allowed only 70 yards and six first downs, and Culver-Stockton never got within 10 yards of the redzone.
The offense compiled 477 yards of balanced total offense. The team had five rushing touchdowns from four different players, and Chris White threw two touchdown passes.
Head Coach Paul Troth
Paul Troth is in his 13th season as a head coach, including his eighth at Missouri Valley. He has led the Vikings to one HAAC Championship and twice led the program to the NAIA Semifinals.
