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The No. 5 Lindenwood football team saw its 2010 season come to an end on Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium when No. 10 Saint Francis upset the Lions by a 46-38 score. The game had five ties and was not settled until Saint Francis' Austin Coleman hauled in a 15-yard pass from Shaine Tierney with 22 seconds remaining in the game.

The two offenses were the story of the game as the defenses combined to force just two punts. The big difference was two Lindenwood turnovers that Saint Francis turned into 14 points.

Lindenwood's defense opened the game strong by forcing a three-and-out, and the Lions scored on their first possession when Philip Staback hit Jamere Holland for a 56-yard touchdown reception. Saint Francis answered with a touchdown on its next possession and, after Lindenwood fumbled the kickoff, took a 14-7 lead before the end of the first quarter.

Lindenwood tied the game less than two minutes into the second quarter on another Staback pass, this one for 17 yards to Andrew Helmick. Both teams only had one more possession in the second quarter, and both kicked field goals.

In the third quarter, Lindenwood retook the lead on a Staback one-yard run, but the extra point was blocked. Tierney then scored two straight rushing touchdowns to put Saint Francis up 31-23. Lindenwood tied the game once again right before the end of the third quarter when Helmick scored his second receiving touchdown, this one from 60 yards out.

The Cougars took the lead with 13:10 remaining in the game on Tierney's fourth rushing touchdown of the game. Lindenwood answered on its very next play when Denodus O'Bryant caught a short Staback pass and went 68 yards to tie the game at 38. Saint Francis went on a 14 play, 68 yard drive on its next possession, but missed a 19 yard field goal. Lindenwood couldn't take advantage though with a fumble at the Saint Francis 45 yard line.

On the game-winning drive by Saint Francis, it took 10 plays to go 55 yards. Tierney completed six passes, including the touchdown pass to Coleman on third-and-seven from the Lindenwood 15. Lindenwood completed one pass on its desperation drive to get the ball to midfield, but on its final play Staback was nearly sacked before throwing to an ineligible receiver.

Lindenwood had 476 yards of total offense, compared to 438 for Saint Francis. The Lions averaged 9.2 yards per play, and the Cougars had 5.1 yards per play. Lindenwood couldn't get the Cougars off the field though as Saint Francis completed 11 third-down plays and was four-of-four on fourth down. The inability to get the ball out of the Cougars' hands led to Saint Francis holding the ball for over 40 minutes.
Staback finished his Lindenwood career by throwing for 354 yards and four touchdowns. Helmick caught five passes for 108 yards, and Holland had four receptions for 87 yards. O'Bryant had 65 yards rushing and 68 receiving.

Defensively for the Lions, Damian James and Chris Howard each had nine tackles. James had 0.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup, and Howard had two tackles for loss. Cody Fogle, Nick Tepea, and Dan Carlisle all forced fumbles, but Saint Francis recovered every one. Tepea also had six tackles, two tackles for loss, and the game's only sack.

Tierney rushed for 77 yards and threw for 296. He had five touchdowns with four rushing and one passing. Bo Frye had a rushing score for the Cougars other touchdown. Jared Clodfleter was the top receiver with five catches for 76 yards.

Erick Humphrey led Saint Francis' defense with seven tackles. Devron Robinson had the fumble recovery late in the game and Joseph Torres had the fumble recovery on special teams.

Game Notes: Lindenwood ends the year with a 9-2 overall record while Saint Francis improves to 10-1 overall … Saint Francis' Shaine Tierney was the Offensive Player of the Game and Saint Francis' Erick Humphrey was the Defensive Player of the Game … the loss snapped Lindenwood's 24-game home winning streak … Saint Francis has defeated Lindenwood in the first round of the NAIA Football Championship Series for the second time in four years … Lindenwood failed to advance to the second round for the first time since 2007 … Saint Francis has won eight straight first-round playoff games … Lindenwood is now 5-6 in the NAIA Football Championship Series and Saint Francis is 18-10 in the postseason.