complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
Lindenwood opens up the 2010 season on Thursday evening in St. Charles with a 6 p.m. contest against Evangel. The game will be the first Thursday contest in program history and kicks off one of the most anticipated seasons for the Lions.
The Lions had their best season last year when they went 13-1 and advanced to the NAIA national championship game. The year ended though with a 25-22 setback in the title contest. The goal for the new season is nothing short of advancing to Rome, Ga. again and this time bringing home a national championship.
In 2009, the Lions averaged 53.1 points a game which was the highest scoring average among all levels of college football. The returning trio of running back Denodus O'Bryant, quarterback Philip Staback, and wide receiver Matt Bramow are the main returning attractions and several newcomers will help keep the Lions explosive on the offensive end.
Defensively, Lindenwood is coming off a great performance in the national title game when it gave up just one offensive touchdown. A deep linebacker group will lead this unit in 2010.
Lindenwood will open up against an Evangel team that is starting a new era as Brenton Illum takes over a Crusaders squad that went 3-7 last year, including a 63-6 setback versus the Lions.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
* improve the program to 110-111 all-time.
* improve the Lions to 58-17 under head coach Patrick Ross.
* be the fifth straight victory over Evangel and the fourth straight win in the series at Hunter Stadium.
* improve Lindenwood to 9-12 all-time in season openers, including a 4-3 mark under Patrick Ross.
* increase the Lions' winning streaks to 20 games at home and in HAAC play.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
* drop the program to 109-112 all-time.
* drop the Lions to 57-18 under Patrick Ross.
* drop Lindenwood to 6-9 all-time against Evangel and be the first loss since 2005.
VSN Super 72
Six Lindenwood players, three on both sides of the ball, received preseason recognition on the Victory Sports Network Super 72 list, honoring the preseason top 72 players in the NAIA.
Offensively, running back Denodus O'Bryant, quarterback Philip Staback, and wide receiver Matt Bramow made the list. Defensively, linebackers Parks Peterson and Dan Carlisle, and cornerback Hakim Thomas received the preseason honor.
Record Shattering Season
Lindenwood scored 744 points last season, the most in HAAC history. Only five schools in college football history, including one NAIA program, has scored more than that in a season.
HAAC Player of the Year
Denodus O'Bryant is the reigning HAAC Player of the Year after a freshman season in which he scored a school record 24 touchdowns.
O'Bryant is best known for his big play ability, averaging 9.6 yards per rush, having 12 plays of 40 yards or more, and scoring a touchdown once every 5.7 times he touched the ball.
Directing the Offense
Philip Staback will start his second season directing the Lindenwood offense. Last year, he set a school record with 36 touchdown passes. He threw for 3,381 yards and rushed for six more scores. One of Staback's top traits is taking care of the ball, having just three interceptions in the final 11 games of the season.
Touchdown Bramow
Matt Bramow set a school record last year with 12 receiving touchdowns. Many of his receptions came at key moments, including two game-winning scores late in games. Bramow had five touchdowns in the postseason, including two each in the semifinal and championship games.
Creating Turnovers
Lindenwood's defense averaged nearly three turnovers a game last year, helping the team rank fifth nationally in turnover margin. The Lions had 23 interceptions and 15 fumble recoveries.
Leading Defenders
Lindenwood returns four of its top six tacklers from 2009. Parks Peterson led the team with 80. Cody Fogle was third with 68, and Dan Carlisle and Chris Howard tied for fifth with 62.
"Special" Special Teams
Lindenwood had eight special team return touchdowns last season. Denodus O'Bryant had four on kickoff returns, which tied a NAIA record.
New Kickers
Lindenwood will have two new kickers this week. James Neal is expected to handle the placekicking duties, while Morris Keseloff is first on the depth chart at the punting position.
Up Next
Lindenwood travels to Central Methodist for a 6 p.m. game on Sept. 11.
About The Crusaders
Thursday's game will be the first for Evangel under first-year head coach Brenton Illum. Illum will look to lead Evangel to an above .500 finish in HAAC play for the first time since the school was co-champions in 2005.
Like Lindenwood, the Crusaders return their starting quarterback, top wide receiver, and leading running back from 2009. Richie Roepke threw for 567 yards and two touchdowns last season. Freddie Brown was also a part-time quarterback but still lead the team with 22 receptions. Tommy Meyer was third-team all-HAAC after 493 rushing yards and a score.
Defensively, Evangel will have a new scheme in a 33-Stack. The top returner is lineman Mitch Wilson who recorded 55 tackles and 7.5 tackles for loss a year ago.
Road Warriors
Evangel had the odd statistic of going winless at home last season, but having a winning record on the road. It enters this season on a two-game road winning streak after wins over Avila and Culver-Stockton.
Kicking Game
Evangel had one of the top kicking games in the country in 2009. The squad was eighth in the NAIA in field goal percentage and 17th in punt average.
Head Coach Brenton Illum
Brenton Illum returns to his alma mater for his first head coaching job. Previous assistant coaching positions were at Western State, Missouri State, Fort Lewis, and Evangel.
