box score

A big defensive play right before halftime sparked the Lindenwood football team to a big season opening victory over Evangel. The No. 3 Lions defeated the Crusaders by a 63-6 score.

Lindenwood led 14-6 late in the second quarter thanks to a pair of 1-yard touchdown runs by LeMarien Parson and Richard Murrell. However, the game was still close after a half marred by a lengthy weather delay, penalties and a turnover. Evangel was driving late looking to close the gap when Parks Peterson jumped in front of a pass and returned it for a Lindenwood touchdown with 26 seconds remaining.

After intermission, the Lions used that momentum and put the game away with a dominating third quarter in which they outscored Evangel 21-0. Rudy Fleming caught a 51-yard touchdown reception from Philip Staback and Denodus O'Bryant and Zach Booker each had scoring rushes.

The Lions added three more scoring runs in the final period with two from Murrell and one from O'Bryant, and the defense finished off a second-half shutout.

As you would expect, Lindenwood dominated the final numbers. The Lions had 570 yards of total offense while allowing just 166 yards. On the ground, the Lions had 328 rushing rushing yards compared to 86 for Evangel.

Individually, Staback completed 13-of-22 passes for 212 yards in his Lindenwood debut. Another impressive debut came from O'Bryant who had 126 rushing yards. Murrell and Parson each had 50 or more rushing yards, and Fleming, Matt Bramow and Marcel Thompson all had over 50 receiving yards. Defensively, Cody Fogle had a team-high eight tackles.

Game Notes: The Lions have now defeated Evangel four straight times. In each game, they have held the Crusaders to 10 or less points … the seven rushing touchdowns sets a new single-game team record … the win was the 10th straight HAAC victory for the Lions and they have won 19 out of their last 21 conference games … Lindenwood improves to 8-12 all-time in season openers … the 63 points is the most for Lindenwood in a season opener and the fourth-most in school history … the 42 second-half points is a new program record … the 57-point victory was the largest in the series history with Evangel.