Box Score

The Lindenwood football team scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes for a come-from-behind 38-31 victory over Azusa Pacific on Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles. The Lions scored the game-winning touchdown with 29 seconds remaining when John Uribe completed an 82-yard pass to Andrew Helmick.

Lindenwood led 24-10 after a touchdown by Alex Robinson early in the third quarter. Azusa Pacific scored 21 unanswered points though, capped off by a Terrel Watson run with 6:39 remaining in the game. The Cougars forced a three-and-out on Lindenwood's next possession, but Morris Keseloff kicked a 51-yard punt that forced Azusa Pacific back to its six-yard line. Azusa Pacific did not pick up a first down and was forced to punt.  Therman McGowan fielded the punt at Azusa Pacific's 44-yard line and tied the game at 31 with a punt return touchdown.

Azusa Pacific went three-and-out again on its next possession, and Lindenwood took over with a minute remaining on its 13-yard line. On the second play of the drive, Uribe rolled out right and found Helmick wide open down the field. Helmick caught the pass near midfield and went untouched for the winning score.

Both teams opened the game by kicking a first quarter field goal.  Denodus O'Bryant scored the first touchdown with a six-yard run early in the second quarter. Azusa Pacific answered with a touchdown drive to tie the game at 10. Lindenwood's special teams, which also blocked a field goal kick in the second quarter, came up big again late in the period. Blake Arnette forced a fumble on a punt return, and Cody Reider fell on it to give Lindenwood the ball in the red zone with 1:12 left in the half. On third-and-one from the three, McGowan picked up the first down, and then scored one play later.

Lindenwood scored on its first possession of the second half when Uribe found Robinson for a 21-yard reception. Azusa Pacific again answered right away and that was the final scoring for the third quarter.

In the fourth, the Cougars tied the game with 8:42 remaining, and then took advantage of a Lindenwood fumble for another quick score with 6:39 remaining.

The Lions' defense held the NAIA's top scoring team well below its average in rushing yards and points. Azusa Pacific did finish with nearly 60 yards more of offense, but Lindenwood's special teams play once again was the difference in a Lindenwood win.

Uribe threw for a season-high 313 yards and had two touchdown passes. McGowan led the rushing attack with 47 yards and he also had 61 receiving yards. Helmick finished with seven receptions for 137 yards. Robinson had six catches for 59 yards and Mike Bunton had 48 receiving yards.

Chris Howard led the defense with 14 tackles, and Cody Fogle was also in double-figures with 10. Brock Reed had the other forced turnover with a fumble recovery.

Game Notes: Lindenwood improves to 6-2 overall while Azusa Pacific falls to 6-2 … the Lions have won 25 straight regular season home games … McGowan has two punt return touchdowns on the season and the team has five … over the last three games, Helmick has 338 receiving yards and seven receiving touchdowns … Denodus O'Bryant scored his 45th career touchdown in the game … both programs are making the transition to the NCAA Division II level; Lindenwood is in its second candidacy year while Azusa Pacific is in its first candidacy year.