Box Score The Lindenwood football team earned a big victory over a future conference opponent on Saturday afternoon in Edmond, Okla. The Lions defeated Central Oklahoma by a 48-14 score in their final regular season contest.

Lindenwood's defense dominated the first half, as it allowed just 127 yards and no points, and forced two turnovers. The first turnover was an interception by Chaz Fulton late in the first quarter and he returned it 57 yards for the first touchdown of the game.

The Lions' other touchdowns in the half, both in the second quarter, were also set up by the defense. Twice, Central Oklahoma went three-and-out and punted the ball to Lindenwood at midfield. The first time, Lindenwood scored on a 22-yard pass to Thomas Stubbs. Its next possession, Denodus O'Bryant finished off the drive with a one-yard touchdown run.

Lindenwood went up 28-0 early in the third quarter on a 26-yard pass from David Ortega to Alex Robinson. Central Oklahoma finally got on the board midway through the third quarter on a passing touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Andrew Helmick returned it 100 yards to put Lindenwood back up by 28 at 35-7. The Bronchos scored one more touchdown in the third quarter, but Lindenwood completed the victory with two touchdowns in the fourth. Therman McGowan had a five-yard run and Helmick caught a 44-yard touchdown pass from Joe Plassmeyer.

Lindenwood finished the game with 358 yards of offense, including 250 on the ground. Central Oklahoma had 318 total yards, and just 48 rushing. The Lions defense forced three interceptions in the game.

In his first start of the season, senior quarterback Ortega threw for two touchdowns, and Joe Plassmeyer also had a touchdown pass. McGowan rushed for 101 yards, and Helmick had 54 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards. Robinson caught two passes for 36 yards.

Defensively, Chris Howard had nine tackles. Brock Reed and Malach Radigan had the other interceptions for the team, and Christian Golder had five tackles, one tackle for loss, and two pass breakups.

Game Notes: Lindenwood improves to 8-3 on the season, while Central Oklahoma falls to 2-9 … the Lions improve to 3-2 on the season versus NCAA Division II programs … Andrew Helmick tied the school's single-season receiving touchdowns records of 12 with his fourth-quarter score … Chris Howard passed 80 tackles on the season, just the tenth Lion to accomplish that during the Patrick Ross era at the school, and he now has 253 tackles for his career … Helmick's special teams touchdown was the eighth special team score of the season for Lindenwood.