Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team returns home this week for its 2012 Homecoming contest. The Lions will be facing a NCAA Division II nationally-ranked team for the second straight week when they host No. 18 Washburn at 1:30 p.m. at Hunter Stadium.
- The Lions are 5-2 on the season and 4-2 in conference play after falling to Emporia State last week by a 13-0 margin. The Ichabods are 6-1 overall and in the MIAA. They have won three straight including a 35-24 victory over Truman last Saturday.
-
Denodus O'Bryant looks to get closer or even break Lindenwood's career rushing mark this Saturday. The senior has 2,558 career rushing yards and needs 81 to reach the school record currently held by Marceo Haywood.
- Lindenwood's defense held its second straight opponent under 20 points last week. Under defensive coordinator
Deion Melvin, the Lions have now held nine teams in the last two years to 20 points or less.
- The Lions lead the MIAA in forcing turnovers with 20, and they are third in sacks with 23. Linebacker
Connor Harris has a league-best 69 total tackles, and corner back
Pierre Desir leads the MIAA with six interceptions and 11 pass breakups.
- Lindenwood and the No. 1 passing offense in the MIAA (316.9 yards per game) will be going against the Ichabods and the No. 1 pass defense in the conference (180.3 yards per game).
- Washburn ranks in the top five in the MIAA in scoring offense and scoring defense, and it is third in total defense. The Ichabods also lead the conference in pass defense efficiency.
- Both offenses will need to be careful passing the ball as Lindenwood (11) and Washburn (12) are two of five teams in the MIAA with double-figure interception totals in 2012.
- Lindenwood is 17-4 all-time on Homecoming, including 10 wins over the last 11 years. The average margin of victory in those 10 wins was 36.3 points. The Lions have never lost a Homecoming contest by more than 10 points.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranks seventh in the MIAA in scoring offense (29.9 ppg) and sixth in total offense (413.0). The Lions are first in pass offense, but just 14th rushing offense.
- With
Ben Gomez missing last week's game with an injury, the Lions were still adjusting to
Taylor Jasin as the starting quarterback. Jasin is averaging 228.0 passing yards a game the last two contests and he has completed 38 passes. Lindenwood has just one touchdown drive though in that span over 50 yards.
-
Andrew Helmick has recorded at least 60 receiving yards in every game but one. He is averaging 96.4 receiving yards a game which would shatter the single-season school record (held by Helmick) of 81.9 yards.
-
Denodus O'Bryant has rushed for at least 75 rushing yards in every game but one this season.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood's defense is seventh in the MIAA in scoring defense (22.7 ppg) and eighth in total defense (369.1). The Lions are tenth in rushing defense and sixth in pass defense.
-
Pierre Desir needs just one interception the rest of the season to break Lindenwood's single-season mark in that category.
-
Brock Reed had one of the top games of his career last week with a team-high 15 tackles and an interception. His interception came in the endzone to end a Hornets threat right before halftime.
- Lindenwood's defense has not allowed a point in the first quarter for the last two games, and it has not allowed a touchdown in the third quarter for the last three games.
- The Lions are third in the MIAA in red-zone defense, holding teams without a point over 30 percent of the time. The Lions have forced two turnovers, four turnovers on downs, and two missed field goals.
Lions Special Teams
-
James Neal is a perfect 27-of-27 on the season on PATs, and four-of-five on field goals.
-
Edward Burns had three punts inside the 20-yard line last week and now has six this season.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood will be featured in the MIAA Television Network for the first time on Oct. 27. The Lions host Missouri Southern at 2:37 p.m.
About Washburn
- Quarterback Mitch Buhler has thrown 15 touchdown passes and just three interceptions. Hayden Groves leads the rushing attack with 66.1 yards and five touchdowns, and Matt Kobbeman is the leading receiver with 25 catches for 378 yards and four touchdowns.
- Bryce Atagi leads the team with 67 tackles and he has 8.0 tackles for loss. Nine different players have recorded an interception.
MIAA Notes
- This week's conference players of the week were: Colter Smith, Central Missouri (offense), Maurkice Savage, Lincoln (defense), and Kyle Goodburn, Northwest Missouri (special teams).
- Five MIAA schools are nationally ranked by the AFCA: Northwest Missouri (No. 5), Pittsburg State (t-No. 7), Missouri Western (No. 16), Emporia State (t-No. 18), and Washburn (t-No. 18). Central Missouri is receiving votes in the national poll.
