complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
Lindenwood is in a rare position this weekend as it looks to bounce back from a regular season loss for just the first time since early in the 2008 season. The Lions will look to avoid back-to-back losses when they host Avila this Saturday at 6 p.m. at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium.
The Lions fell to No. 6 in the national rankings this week after a 26-20 loss to now No. 5 MidAmerica Nazarene. Lindenwood hurt itself in the game with five turnovers, including four in the second half when it did not score a single point.
Lindenwood faces a similar built squad this week in Avila. Avila's offense is led by its running game which is averaging 165.0 yards the last two games. Defensively, the Eagles are allowing just 166.3 passing yards a contest.
Despite last week's setback, the Lions still have one of the top offenses in the country, ranking first in total offense and passing yards, and second in scoring. Defensively, Lindenwood is in the top 15 in the NAIA in scoring defense.
History is on Lindenwood's side in this week's matchup. The Lions have won six straight in the series and Avila has never won in St. Charles. Lindenwood has also won 21 straight games on its home turf.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 113-112 all-time.
- improve the Lions to 61-18 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- increase the Lions' home winning streak to 22 games.
- be the program's seventh straight victory over Avila.
- improve Lindenwood to 5-0 all-time against Avila in St. Charles.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 112-113 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 60-19 under Patrick Ross.
- be Avila's first win in St. Charles.
- be Avila's first win in the series since 2003.
- be the team's first back-to-back regular season losses in the same year since 2006.
Offensive Numbers
Lindenwood leads the NAIA in total offense and pass offense, and is second in scoring offense. Among all NAIA and NCAA programs, the Lions are 6th in total offense, seventh in scoring offense, and eighth in passing offense.
Scoring Defense
Lindenwood has allowed just 67 points this season, its best mark through four games since 2004 and the third best total in program history. The Lions defense currently ranks 14th in the NAIA in scoring defense and 21st in total defense.
NAIA's Offensive Leader
Philip Staback leads the NAIA in pass efficiency, passing yards per game, and total offense per game. His 329.3 passing yards a game are almost 20 yards better than the next closest quarterback.
Orlando's Career Game
Nate Orlando had the best game of his career last Saturday, rushing for 98 yards and three touchdowns, and collecting 11 receiving yards. His previous high for rushing was 87 yards in a game.
On the season, Orlando already has seven rushing touchdowns, one more than his first two seasons of action. He is averaging over 60 rushing yards a game and 5.5 yards per carry.
Quarterback Protection
Lindenwood's offensive line has allowed just two sacks this season, the best mark in the HAAC.
Defensive Leader
Dan Carlisle has been one of the top defenders in the HAAC in 2010. He has led the Lions in tackles for the last three games, including 11 against MidAmerica Nazarene, one off his career high.
Carlisle is fifth in the conference in tackles with 34 and last week passed the 250 career tackle mark. He is second in the HAAC with 6.0 tackles for loss.
True Freshman Starting
Donald Collier made his first start last week. He made an immediate impact by finishing with nine tackles. Collier is the only true freshman on the Lions roster to earn a start this season.
Protecting the Ball
Turnovers were the difference in Lindenwood's loss last week. In the team's three victories, the Lions had a +3 turnover margin. Against MidAmerica Nazarene, Lindenwood was -4. The offense was the biggest problem with five turnovers, but the defense also forced a season-low one.
Home Field Advantage
Lindenwood has not lost a home game since Oct. 21, 2006, a span of 21 straight wins. In those victories, the team is averaging nearly 50 points a game and allowing less than 18.
The Lions are 31-4 at home since Patrick Ross was named the head coach.
Up Next
Lindenwood goes on the road next week for an afternoon contest at Baker.
About The Eagles
Avila enters the week with a 1-2 record. The Eagles picked up their first victory last week by a 21-7 score over Culver-Stockton.
Offensively, Avila is led by a rushing attack that is piling up 142.3 yards a game. Alyn Jackson leads the ground game with 124 yards a game and two touchdowns. Austin Cole is averaging 121.0 passing yards a game. He has three touchdowns and just one interception. MJ Bland is the leading receiver with 14 receptions for 105 yards. Josh Taylor has a pair of touchdown catches and 144 receiving yards.
Defensively, the Eagles are allowing just 166.3 passing yards a game. Chris Boyer leads the team with 28 tackles, two sacks, and two fumble recoveries. Overall, Avila has seven turnovers on the year.
Last Week
Two big plays led Avila over Culver-Stockton last weekend in Kansas City. Austin Cole found Josh Taylor for touchdown receptions of 66 and 65 yards in the Eagles' 21-7 win.
Avila allowed 274 yards in the game, including less than 100 through the air. Matt Dolan had nine tackles, including 2.5 for losses.
Offensively, Alyn Jackson rushed for 142 yards and Austin Cole threw for 152.
Head Coach Kevin Porter
Kevin Porter, a former NCAA Division I All-American and NFL player, is in his first year as a collegiate head coach. He has previous coaching experience at the Arena Football League level, and was an assistant for one year at MidAmerica Nazarene.
