complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
Two long winning streaks collide this weekend in Olathe, Kan. when No. 2 Lindenwood travels to No. 6 MidAmerica Nazarene. The Lions have won 22 straight HAAC contests while the Pioneers have won their last 19 HAAC home games. The team that keeps its winning streak going will have an edge in the race for the HAAC Championship.
Lindenwood passed its first major test of the year last week with a top 10 victory over Missouri Valley. After a close first half, the Lions pulled away in the third quarter for a 45-27 victory. Lindenwood compiled over 500 yards of offense against the vaunted Vikings' defense, including 400 through the air. The defense slowed down Missouri Valley's rushing game and forced three turnovers.
This week, the Lions offense will face another top defense. MidAmerica Nazarene is allowing just 12.0 points and 228.7 yards a game. Lindenwood's top ranked passing game will be especially tested against the Pioneers defense which is allowing only 130 passing yards a game.
On the other side of the ball, the run game will be key. The Pioneers are rushing for nearly 210 yards a game, while Lindenwood is allowing just over 80 yards a game on the ground.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 113-111 all-time.
- improve the Lions to 61-17 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- increase the Lions' winning streak to 23 games in HAAC play.?
- snap the Pioneers' 19-game HAAC home winning streak.
- be the team's first win in Olathe since 2004.
- give the Lions an 8-7 edge in the all-time series.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 112-112 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 60-18 under Patrick Ross.
- increase MidAmerica Nazarene's home HAAC winning streak to 20 games.
- give the Pioneers an 8-7 edge in the all-time series.
AFCA Good Works Team
Center Billy Clark was named this week to the Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. He is one of 22 players in all of college football to earn one of the most prestigious off-the-field honors in college football.
Clark is a team captain and one of the top leaders on the team. The offensive lineman is in his fourth year and has helped the Lions go 37-5 in that time.
National Honor
Philip Staback earned his third HAAC Player of the Week honor of the year this week and added a National Player of the Week award to his resume. Last week, he had the fourth 400-yard passing game in Lindenwood history.
For the season, Staback has completed 63 of 79 passes (79.7 percent) for 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ranks first in the NAIA in pass efficiency, passing yards per game and total offense yards per game.
Receiving Duo
Jamere Holland and Matt Bramow have been the top receiving duo in the NAIA so far in 2010. Holland is first nationally with 138.3 receiving yards a game and Bramow is third with 129.7 yards. The two have combined for 40 receptions and seven touchdowns. Holland has 100-yard receiving games in all three contests this year, while Bramow has gone over 100 yards twice.
Running Game
Lindenwood's running game is still there when needed. The trio of Denodus O'Bryant, Nate Orlando, and LeMarien Parson have combined to rush for 407 yards and nine touchdowns in three games.
Third Down Success
Lindenwood is third in the NAIA by converting 50 percent of its third-down attempts. Last week, the team's first two touchdowns came on third down and another was on fourth down.
Forcing Turnovers
Lindenwood's defense is averaging three turnovers a game. Hakim Thomas leads the team with two interceptions and Dan Carlisle has both an interception and fumble recovery. In all three games, the Lions have scored two touchdowns off turnovers.
Defensive Leader
Dan Carlisle has been the team's defensive leader in 2010, including leading in tackles for the last two games. Carlisle has 23 tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one fumble recovery on the year.
Other team leaders include Cody Fogle and Hakim Thomas with three passes defended, Kellen Dreyer with 3.5 tackles for loss, and Jason Young with 2.0 sacks.
Top 20 Defensive Numbers
Lindenwood is currently 10th in the NAIA in rushing defense, 11th in scoring defense, and 19th in total defense.
Up Next
Lindenwood returns home for its final night game of 2010 on Oct. 2 versus Avila.
About The Pioneers
MidAmerica Nazarene has opened up the season with wins over Avila, Baker, and Culver-Stockton. The offense has put up over 40 points twice and it has held every opponent under 17 points.
The Pioneers are in the top 10 in the NAIA in total defense, scoring defense, and sacks. Jake Duren leads the Pioneers with 8.0 tackles a game and has an interception and fumble recovery. Brady Croucher has a team-high four sacks.
MidAmerica Nazarene is averaging over 200 yards rushing a game behind the duo of Greg Gates and James Tillman. Sean Ransburg is averaging 159.0 yards passing a game and is rushing for nearly 50 yards a contest. He has five touchdowns and just two interceptions. Juan Redmon is the top receiver with two touchdowns.
Last Week
The Pioneers outscored the Culver-Stockton Wildcats 24-0 in the second half for a 46-13 victory.
Defensively, MidAmerica Nazarene allowed just 244 yards. Dantre Anderson had 11 tackles and two sacks.
Offensively, Sean Ransburg threw four touchdown passes, two to Juan Redmon. Greg Gates rushed for two scores.
On special teams, the Pioneers blocked two kicks leading to a safety and touchdown.
Head Coach Jonathan Quinn
Jonathan Quinn is in his second year at MidAmerica Nazarene and has lost just two games. The former NFL quarterback started his coaching career as an assistant at MidAmerica Nazarene in 2006.
