complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
The Lindenwood football team picked up its first NCAA Division II victory in school history last Saturday with a 55-14 victory over Saint Joseph's. It will go for its second win this upcoming Saturday when it travels to Rolla, Mo. for a contest against Missouri S&T.
The Lions are 3-0 after the Saint Joseph's victory and continue to improve every week. The offense scored the first three times it touched the ball to give Lindenwood a 20-0 lead. The defense then made the play of the game late in the second quarter when Justin Broome had a 94-yard interception return touchdown. That 14-point swing gave Lindenwood a 27-0 halftime advantage and the Pumas could not muster a second-half comeback attempt.
A pair of newcomers led a balanced offensive attack as Therman McGowan rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns, and John Uribe threw three touchdowns and no interceptions Defensively, the Lions gave up a lot of passing yards after the game was decided, but they only allowed 32 rushing yards.
Missouri S&T enters its Hall of Fame game with a 1-2 record on the season. The Miners have lost two straight after a season-opening win over Oklahoma Panhandle. Special teams have played a big role in the team's success this year, especially in the team's victory when the Miners blocked three punts.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 122-113-2 all-time.?
- improve the Lions to 70-19 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- start the season with a 4-0 record for the fifth time in school history, and the third time over the last five years.
- be the first road win in program history over a NCAA Division II program.
- be the team's 26th regular season victory in games played in the state of Missouri.
- be the team's 11th win over the last 12 road games.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 121-114-2 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 69-20 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- be the first loss in program history against a NCAA Division II program.
Rush Defense
Lindenwood's defense has allowed just 25 rushing yards over the last two games, with minus-seven versus Graceland and 32 against Saint Joseph's. It is the first time in school history that the defense has held opposing teams to 32 or less rushing yards in back-to-back games.
On the year, Lindenwood is allowing just 42.0 rushing yards a game. Only 13 teams in all levels of college football are allowing less in 2011. The Lions are giving up just 1.2 yards per carry.
Cody Fogle has made the most tackles on running plays with 10. He is followed by Malach Radigan with nine, and Tyler Epstein and Chris Howard with eight.
Knocking Down The QB
Lindenwood has 13 sacks already on the year, an average of 3.3 a game. Last season, the Lions had just 21 sacks on the year, or 1.9 a game.
Brock Reed leads the team with 3.0 sacks, followed by John McComb with 2.5.
The Lions have 33 tackles for loss on the year. McComb has a team-high 4.0, followed by Joe Day with 3.5.
Taking the Ball Away
Justin Broome has recorded three interceptions on the season, including two against Saint Joseph's. He is the first Lion to intercept two passes in a game since Brandon Gould against Ottawa in 2009. His 94-yard interception return was the fourth-longest in Lindenwood history.
Broome has set the school's single-season record with 158 interception return yards.
Bunton and LU Records
Mike Bunton also added some entries into the Lindenwood record book last weekend.
Bunton's 90-yard punt return touchdown was the longest punt return in school history. His 113 punt return yards in the game was the second-best mark in Lions history.
Also in the punt return category, Bunton is believed to be the first Lion in school history with two punt return touchdowns in a season. Through three games, Bunton has 227 punt return yards, which ranks fifth in the single-season records. He needs 101 more yards to break the record.
As a wide receiver, Bunton has caught 56 passes in his career, which ties for 10th on the top-10 career receptions list.
100-yard Rusher
Therman McGowan became the team's first 100-yard rusher of the season after rushing for 104 yards against Saint Joseph's. He leads the team with 69.0 rushing yards a game, and is averaging 5.9 yards a carry. He also has a team-high three rushing touchdowns.
Quarterback Play
John Uribe threw for his fewest yards of the season with 191 against Saint Joseph's, but still had his most efficient game with a mark of 155.72. He threw three touchdowns against the Pumas and did not have an interception.
For the season, Uribe is averaging 239.0 passing yards a game. He has completed 62.1 percent of his passes, thrown six touchdowns, and just two interceptions.
Players of the Week
The team players of the week for the Saint Joseph's game were Therman McGowan on offense, Justin Broome on defense, and Mike Bunton on special teams.
Malach Radigan won the team's Living the D.R.E.A.M. award. That acronym stands for dedication, responsibility, enthusiasm, attitude, and motivation. The award goes to the player who exemplifies those qualities on the practice and game field, around campus, inside the dorm, and in the classroom.
Field Position
Lindenwood's field position has been nearly 10 yards better this season than its opposition. The average starting position for the Lions is the 43.8 yard line, compared to the 33.9 for opponents.
Season Touchdowns
Lindenwood has scored six passing touchdowns and eight rushing touchdowns this year. Six of the eight rushing touchdowns have come on first and second down plays. Four of the six passing touchdowns have come on third and fourth downs.
Red-Zone Production
Lindenwood is a perfect 15-of-15 scoring in the red zone this season. The Lions have 11 touchdowns and four field goals. Nine of the red-zone touchdowns have been rushing, compared to two through the air.
Opposing teams are just five-of-nine scoring against Lindenwood's defense in the red zone, including a one-of-five over the last two games. The opposing teams have scored just two touchdowns and kicked three field goals. Lindenwood has forced two turnovers, one turnover on downs, and one drive ending at the end of a half.
Fewer Yellow Flags
Lindenwood has cut down on penalties this season. The Lions are averaging 6.7 penalties a game for 60.3 yards a game. Last season, Lindenwood committed over 10 penalties a game for 93.2 yards a game.
Lions' opponents have been flagged 7.0 times a game this year for an average of 53.0 yards a game.
About the Miners
Missouri S&T has struggled moving the ball during its 1-2 start. The Miners are averaging just 51.3 rushing and 176.0 passing yards a game.
Josh Firm is the starting quarterback and he has thrown for 528 yards and three touchdowns. Over 40 percent of his completions are to Smook Thomas who has 22 receptions for 241 yards. Adam Clark is only averaging 24.0 rushing yards a game, but has three touchdowns.
Defensively, Missouri S&T is allowing 30.3 points and 354.7 yards a game. It has forced six turnovers on the season.
Chris Emesih leads the team with 24 tackles and five tackles for loss. Sean Martin has two interceptions, and Edwin Scott and Freddy Dugard each have two sacks.
Last Week
Missouri S&T fell 27-23 to NCAA Division I non-scholarship Drake. The Miners fell in a 17-0 hole and could never get closer than three points.
The Miners held the Bulldogs under 300 yards, but only gained 261 on offense. Josh Firm led the offense with 227 yards and two touchdowns, and Hilton Dawson had a team-high seven tackles.
Head Coach David Brown
David Brown is in his second season as head coach of the Miners. He led the team to a first-place finish in the Great Lakes Football Conference last season. Prior to Missouri S&T, he coached one of the nation's top defenses at Ohio.
Up Next
Lindenwood will face its second NCAA Division I program on Oct. 1 when it travels South Dakota.
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.
