Box Score Playing its first nationally-ranked NCAA Division II opponent without its starting quarterback proved to be too much for the Lindenwood football team. The Lions had a season-low in total offense as they fell to No. 21 Emporia State by a 13-0 score.

Lindenwood had two of its best drives of the game to start the contest but it was unable to score any points. Both drives stalled around the Emporia State 30-yard line as the Lions turned the ball over downs and a missed a long field goal attempt.

The game remained scoreless until early in the second quarter when Emporia State kicked a 32-yard field goal. That 3-0 score remained until halftime thanks to Lindenwood's defense. With 4:37 left in the second quarter, Emporia State intercepted a Lions pass at Lindenwood's eight-yard line. The Hornets did not score though as Lindenwood made them turn it over on downs. After the Lions went three-and-out, Emporia State marched into the red zone again, but this time Lindenwood's Brock Reed intercepted a pass in the endzone to end the threat.

In the second half, Lindenwood's defense continued to keep the game close. The only points Emporia State managed was a field goal in the third quarter and a touchdown off a short field early in the fourth quarter.

The Lions had one final chance to get back into the game after a long Nate Orlando kickoff return gave Lindenwood the field position advantage for much of the fourth quarter. The Lions eventually had first-and-goal from the four-yard line midway through the quarter, but on third down Emporia State intercepted a pass and ended Lindenwood's hope of another fourth-quarter comeback.

Lindenwood finished the day with 282 yards of total offense, with 73 rushing yards and 209 passing yards. The Lions completed just 38.5 percent of their passes and threw four interceptions. The defense held Emporia State and the MIAA's top passing quarterback to 257 passing yards and 387 total offensive yards. Lindenwood forced two turnovers and had three sacks.

Brock Reed had a team-high 15 tackles to go along with his interception. Connor Harris had 11 tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. Sean Gracy and Joe Day each had two tackles for a loss and a sack. Gracy also forced a fumble and Chaz Fulton had a fumble recovery.

Denodus O'Bryant led the offense with 79 rushing yards as he averaged nearly five yards a carry. Andrew Helmick was the leading receiver with four catches for 62 yards.

Game Notes: Lindenwood falls to 5-2 overall and 4-2 in MIAA play … the Hornets improve to 7-0 overall and 7-0 in conference action … the two teams came into the game one-two in the MIAA in passing offense, but both were held at least 50 yards below their season average … the contest was delayed in the first quarter for 33 minutes because of the weather … the Lions were shutout for just the second time under head coach Patrick Ross with the other being against NCAA Division I South Dakota during the 2011 season … Lindenwood returns home next week to face nationally-ranked Washburn for its Homecoming contest.