Matt Bramow's 26-yard touchdown reception (video)

The No. 6 Lindenwood football team got back to its winning ways on Saturday with a 53-9 win over Avila. The victory was the program's 22nd straight win at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium.

Special teams sparked the win, starting on the opening kickoff which Denodus O'Bryant returned 84 yards for a touchdown. In the first half alone, special teams also blocked a punt for a safety, forced a fumble, and helped Lindenwood have an average starting field position on Avila's side of the field.

After O'Bryant's kickoff return touchdown, the two teams traded punts before Avila had its longest drive of the night and reached Lindenwood's eight yard line. On the 11th play, Donald Collier picked off a pass in the endzone to end the threat. Lindenwood came right back down and went up 14-0 on a Philip Staback pass to Matt Bramow.

In the second quarter, the Lions extended their lead to 33-0. O'Bryant and Bramow each caught touchdown receptions, the special team scored its safety, and James Neal kicked a 36-yard field goal.

O'Bryant added his third touchdown on Lindenwood's first drive of the second-half. The PAT failed though and Avila earned its first points with a defensive PAT. Later in the quarter, Avila scored its lone touchdown of the game on a 31-yard reception.

Lindenwood closed out the scoring in the first four minutes of the fourth quarter on a LeMarien Parson run and a pass to Matt Angell.

For the game, Lindenwood's offense had 567 total yards of offense, including 247 rushing and 320 passing. The Lions defense allowed just over 300 yards of offense and had five turnovers.

Staback finished the game with 299 passing yards and five touchdowns. Bramow caught six passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns. O'Bryant had 65 rushing yards and also caught three passes for 59 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Nick Tepea led the team with seven tackles, one tackle for loss, and two forced fumbles. Thomas Stubbs and Dan Carlisle also had seven tackles apiece. James Wofford, and Damian James had interceptions, and Cody Fogle and James Wofford had fumble recoveries. Scott Cozart had a sack.

Game Notes: Lindenwood improves to 4-1 on the season and in the HAAC, while Avila falls to 1-3 overall and in conference play … the victory was the seventh straight for Lindenwood over Avila and improved the team to 5-0 all-time in St. Charles versus the Eagles … Philip Staback tied a career-high with five touchdown passes … the Lions went over 500 yards of offense for the fourth time in five games … Dan Carlisle has led or tied for the team-high in tackles for four straight contests … the Lindenwood defense has not allowed over 10 points to Avila for the last three years.