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Storyline
Lindenwood University opens up its 22nd season of football this Saturday with a road contest at Northern Colorado. The Lions will be facing one of their toughest regular season opponents all-time as they face a NCAA Division I FCS scholarship team for the first time.
2011 is a season for change for the football program, starting with the schedule. As the athletics department transitions to the NCAA Division II level, the Lions will be an independent for the first time since 1993. That has led to a schedule with two NCAA I teams, five NCAA II programs, and four NAIA teams. Four teams are nationally ranked in their respective national organizations, two are members of Lindenwood's former conference, and two will be members of Lindenwood's new conference, the MIAA, in 2012.
Offensively, Lindenwood will have to replace eight starters from last year's squad that averaged 52.5 points and 551.5 yards a game. One of the returners is running back Denodus O'Bryant, the HAAC MVP the last two seasons.
The defensive change comes on the coaching staff where Deion Melvin takes over as defensive coordinator. Melvin, who has coached at the NCAA Division I level the last 18 years, will bring a new look to the Lindenwood's defense.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 119-113-2 all-time.
- improve the Lions to 67-19 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- be the third straight season opening victory for Lindenwood.
- make the Lions 2-2 all-time against NCAA Division I FCS programs.
- be just the second season opening win away from Hunter Stadium for Lindenwood since 1998.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 118-114-2 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 66-20 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- improve Northern Colorado to 46-50-3 all-time in its season opener.
- improve Northern Colorado to 28-20-1 all-time in its season opener at home.
A Look Back
Lindenwood finished its final season in the NAIA with a 9-2 overall record. The Lions, which opened the season ranked No. 2 in the national polls, went 9-1 in the regular season and finished second in the HAAC.
Lindenwood advanced to the NAIA Football Championship Series for the fourth straight season, but was upset by Saint Francis in the first round of the playoffs.
Record Setting Offense
Lindenwood had one of the top offenses in college football history last season. The Lions finished the year first in the NAIA in total offense (551.5 yards), pass offense (358.7 yards), and scoring offense (52.5 points). The Lions averaged 8.9 yards a snap, a mark that had never been reached before in any level of college football among teams that ran at least 800 plays.
Over the last two years, Lindenwood is averaging 52.9 points a game. In the 25 games over that span, it has scored 40 or more points in 21 games.
This year's squad will have to replace eight starters from last year's squad, including two-year quarterback Philip Staback. Returning are lineman Matt Atley, wide receiver Mike Bunton, and running back Denodus O'Bryant.
Turnover Battle
In its two losses last season, Lindenwood turned the ball over seven times and forced just one turnover. In its nine victories, the Lions had a +10 turnover margin and forced 27 turnovers.
Younger Squad
Lindenwood will bring a much younger squad into the 2011 season. This year's team has seven seniors expected to start on offense and defense, compared to 10 during game one of last year. The majority of the 2011 squad comes from the junior class as 13 expected starters and 21 total players on the two-deep are listed as juniors. Six freshmen are listed on the two-deep, compared to just two last season.
Two-Time MVP
Denodus O'Bryant returns for his junior season this year after already being a two-time conference MVP and setting Lindenwood's career touchdown record.
Over his first two seasons, he has 41 touchdowns with 23 rushing, 11 receiving, and seven on special teams. He has 1,664 rushing yards and averages 8.3 yards per rush. O'Bryant has 864 receiving yards and averages 21.2 yards a catch.
Quarterback Position
One of the biggest shoes to fill from last year's team is quarterback Philip Staback. John Uribe is slated to be the opening day starter for the Lions. He comes to St. Charles after two seasons at Santa Barbara Community College. Last season, Uribe was conference MVP after throwing for 2,554 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The number two quarterback is senior David Ortega who is in his third year on the Lindenwood roster. He has thrown for 892 yards and nine touchdowns. He won his first start at Lindenwood last season at William Jewell.
New Look Defense
Lindenwood's defense has a new look in 2011 after Deion Melvin takes over as the defensive coordinator. Melvin has coached the last 18 years at the NCAA Division I level with stops at Ball State, Bowling Green, Georgia Southern, Missouri State, and Western Illinois.
Melvin has coached 14 all-conference winners, seven All-Americans, and two Buck Buchanan award winners, which goes to the top defensive player in NCAA Division I FCS.
All-HAAC Returners
Lindenwood returns nine all-conference players from last year. On offense, Denodus O'Bryant was first-team running back, and third-team honors went to offensive lineman Matt Atley, and wide receivers Mike Bunton and Andrew Helmick. Defensively, defensive tackle Kellen Dreyer was a second-team selection, and honorable mention accolades went to cornerback Donald Collier, defensive back Cody Fogle, and linebacker Brock Reed.
Returning Tacklers
Lindenwood's defense returns eight of its top 11 tacklers from last year's squad.
The co-leader in tackles last season was Chris Howard, one of the all-around defensive leaders. He finished with 40 solo tackles, 64 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks.
Special Teams
Lindenwood returns its top two kickers from last season. James Neal was eight-of-nine on field goals and 61-of-67 on PAT tries. Morris Keseloff averaged 42.6 yards per punt.
NCAA II Transition
Lindenwood is in its second year of NCAA Division II candidacy in 2011-12. The school has dropped its NAIA membership and is an independent.
In 2012-13, Lindenwood hopes to enter a provisional year in the NCAA. The Lions will join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association that season.
In 2013-14, assuming all expectations have been met, the NCAA will vote to make Lindenwood a full member.
About The Bears
Northern Colorado begins its Earnest Collins, Jr. era this Saturday against the Lions. Collins takes over as head coach for a team that went 3-8 last season. Eleven starters return from that squad that lost four games by seven points or less.
The Bears offense averaged 25.0 points last season. Northern Colorado scored 35 or more points five times, but was held to seven points or less four times. Defensively, the Bears allowed 31.4 points a game. They shutout the lone NCAA Division II team on its 2010 schedule.
Seth Lobato is listed as the starting quarterback for the season opener. The former Colorado walk-on was a backup last season and threw for 120 yards and one touchdown. Last year's starter, Dylan Orms, also returns after throwing for 2,055 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The team's backfield will have a new look with none of the four players on the two-deep having a carry last season. The Bears are expected to display a new spread offense, led by three starters who combined for 51 receptions for 753 yards and eight touchdowns last season.
The top returner on defense is defensive end Nick Hernon, an all-conference selection in 2010. He made 45 tackles, including a team-high 10.5 for losses. Cornerback Brandon Owens is the top returning tackler with 47 tackles.
Northern Colorado's special teams returns its punter, both kickers, and top return threats from 2010.
Head Coach Earnest Collins
Earnest Collins Jr. will be the head coach for the first time for his alma mater on Saturday. He is 6-12 all-time as a head coach after being at Alcorn State for two years. Collins has also coached at Northwest Missouri, Kansas, and Central Florida.
UNC At Home
Northern Colorado was 2-3 at home last season. Two of the losses were to nationally ranked teams, and two losses were by just seven points, including one to the 2010 NCAA FCS National Champions.
Up Next
Lindenwood has its home opener on Sept. 10 at 6 p.m. against NAIA Graceland.
