Complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
Lindenwood made it through the hardest part of its 2009 schedule without suffering a loss and now looks to maintain that perfect record through the rest of the regular season. The Lions reach the halfway point of 2009 this Saturday when they go on the road to face Avila.
If there were any questions about whether the Lions are a national championship contender, those questions were answered last week against No. 7 MidAmerica Nazarene. Lindenwood scored the first 35 points of the game, including 21 points in the first five minutes, and went on to win by a 55-14 margin.
The Lions' defense held the Pioneers to over 36 points below their season average. The offense meanwhile continued to roll up the points, even after losing their starting quarterback and running back early in the second half.
Lindenwood has now defeated ranked teams in consecutive weeks and has won games over all three teams that are currently tied for second-place in the HAAC, one game behind the Lions.
Avila will bring a 2-2 overall record and a 1-2 HAAC mark to this week's contest. The team opened up the year with a win in the First Down Classic. The Eagles lost their first two HAAC games but bounced back with a 28-21 win over Culver-Stockton.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
⇒?improve the program to 101-110 all-time.
⇒?improve the Lions to 49-16 under head coach Patrick Ross.
⇒?be the sixth straight victory over Avila.
⇒?increase Lindenwood's conference winning streak to 14 games.
⇒?be the Lions' third road victory of 2009.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
⇒?drop the program to 100-111 all-time.
⇒?drop the Lions to 48-17 under head coach Patrick Ross.
⇒?be Avila's third victory of the season, tying for the most it won in a season over the last six years.
⇒?be just the third loss to the Eagles in nine meetings.
Forcing Turnovers
Lindenwood enters play this week ranked fourth in the NAIA with a +8 turnover margin. The Lions were even after two weeks of the season but had a +2 margin against Missouri Valley and a +6 margin versus MidAmerica Nazarene.
Pass Breakups
MidAmerica Nazarene passed the ball 41 times last week and Lindenwood received credit with passes defended on 12 of those with four interceptions and eight pass breakups. Eleven different players recorded passes defended, with Tony Ritzman being the lone person with two.
On the season, Parks Peterson and Brandon Gould led the team with three passes defended.
Rush Defense
One big advantage the Lions appear to have this week is on rush defense. Lindenwood is second in the HAAC, allowing less than 100 a game. Avila is ninth in the conference as it rushes for just 87.5 yards a game.
Big Play O'Bryant
Denodus O'Bryant had two more plays of 25 yards or more last week, including a big 43-yard touchdown reception that gave Lindenwood a 7-0 lead. Along with a 26-yard kickoff return in that game, he now has 10 plays of 25 yards or more, six of which he has scored touchdowns on.
O'Bryant has nine touchdowns on the season, the most in the NAIA. He has scored in a variety of ways rushing, receiving, kickoff and fumble return.
Fleming Has Top Game
Rudy Fleming had his top game of the season against MidAmerica Nazarene, catching eight passes for 91 yards. He also scored a touchdown, his third game in 2009 with a touchdown reception.
In just 1 1/2 seasons, Fleming is already third on Lindenwood's career list with 14 touchdown receptions.
Quarterback Depth
Lindenwood was forced to go to its bench at the quarterback position in the second half last week. David Ortega and Brett Ballmann did well, combining to complete eight-of-13 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Those two also helped the Lions outscore the Pioneers 20-8 in the final 30 minutes.
Halley Ferrell Kicking
Halley Ferrell leads the nation with 41 points and a 10.3 average. Last week, he was named HAAC Player of the Week for the second time with 13 points.
On the season, he is four-of-five in field goals, including three-of-three inside the 40, and made all 29 extra point attempts.
Ferrell holds Lindenwood's career record with 256 points and 36 field goals.
Red Zone
Lindenwood is still a perfect 17-of-17 in the red zone this year, including scoring 13 touchdowns.
Up Next
Lindenwood will have its Homecoming Contest on Oct. 10 against Baker.
About The Eagles
Avila enters play this week with a 2-2 record, tying for the best start the Eagles have had under Bruce Young.
Avila's top strength is its defense, including a pass defense which allows just 188.3 yards a game. The Eagles are toughest when they get the opposition to third-down, as they are ranking 22nd in the NAIA in opponent third-down conversion.
Austin Cole averages 167.8 passing yards a game and has five touchdown passes versus two interceptions. The receiving duo of Brian Witt and David Sloan average 110.5 receiving yards a game and caught three touchdowns. The rushing game is led by Damien Collins who is averaging 60.8 rushing yards a game.
Tyler Cardwell leads the defense with 31 tackles, including four tackles for loss. Phillip McCabe has a team-high 2.5 sacks.
Last Week
David Sloan connected with Austin Cole for an 80-yard touchdown reception with 1:25 remaining to give Avila a 28-21 win over Culver-Stockton. The Wildcats were able to drive to the Avila five, but couldn't get the tying score.
Cole finished the game with 363 yards passing and four touchdowns. Brian Witt and Sloan each went over 100 yards receiving and had one score, and Thomas Swager had two touchdown receptions.
Tyler Cardwell, the HAAC Defensive Player of the Week, led the team with 12 tackles and three pass breakups.
Head Coach Bruce Young
Bruce Young is in his sixth season as head coach of Avila. He is a member of the Missouri High School Coaches Hall of Fame after success at Norborne, Marceline, and Ray-Pec.
