Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team will play Winona State this Saturday at noon in the 2012 Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
- The Lions finished the regular season with an 8-3 overall record and they finished fourth in the MIAA with a 7-3 mark. Winona State is 9-2 overall and in conference play, and it finished third in the NSIC. Both teams are receiving votes in the latest NCAA Division II national poll.
- Both Lindenwood and Winona State finished the season on three-game winning streaks. In their last three games, the Lions are averaging 42.3 points a game. The Warriors are averaging 56.3 points in their last three contests.
- Defensively, the Lions are allowing 23.1 points a game, compared to the Warriors allowing 25.3 points a game. Lindenwood has held five teams under 20 points, while Winona State has held three opponents to less than 20 points.
- Lindenwood is making its first postseason appearance at the NCAA Division II level. The Lions are in the postseason for the fifth time over the last six years after also appearing in the NAIA playoffs every season from 2007-2010.
- Lindenwood is 5-6 all-time in postseason play and it has lost its last two postseason games. The Lions were NAIA semifinals in 2008 and appeared in the NAIA championship game in 2009.
- MIAA teams are 9-2 in the Mineral Water Bowl since it became a NCAA Division II Bowl Game in 2000. Six of the nine MIAA teams that won the Mineral Water Bowl have then gone on and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Tournament the following season.
- Winona State is making its third appearance in the Mineral Water Bowl. In 2000, it defeated Missouri Western by a 43-41 score in triple overtime. In 2002, it lost in overtime to Emporia State by a 34-27 margin.
- The Lions are 0-4 all-time in games played on a neutral field. Its most recent game on a neutral field was a 25-22 loss to Sioux Falls in the 2009 NAIA Championship game.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood is averaging 32.0 points and 426.1 yards a game. The Lions have thrown for 291.7 yards a game and rushed for 134.4 a game.
- Running back
Denodus O'Bryant and wide receiver
Andrew Helmick have combined for 64.4 percent of the Lions' touchdowns this season (29-of-45).
- Lindenwood has scored 12 touchdowns this season over 60 yards, including nine in the last three games.
Denodus O'Bryant and
Andrew Helmick each have six of those scores.
- True freshman
Dillon Miller has started at quarterback for the last four games. In the last three games, he is averaging 280.3 passing yards a game and has thrown 10 touchdowns.
- Lindenwood is 6-0 this season when scoring 30 or more points. Under head coach
Patrick Ross, the Lions are 63-2 when scoring at least 30 points.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood's defense is allowing 23.1 points and 378.3 total yards a game. The Lions are allowing 160.8 yards on the ground and 217.5 yards through the air.
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Pierre Desir leads the MIAA with nine interceptions. Only one other player among all levels of the NCAA has more interceptions this year. Desir also leads the conference with 16 passes defended this year.
- Lindenwood has recorded 29 sacks and 82 tackles for loss this season.
Joe Day leads the team with 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.0 sacks.
Cody Reider also has 6.0 sacks.
Malach Radigan and
Sean Gracy each have double-figure tackles for loss figures.
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Connor Harris leads the MIAA with 115 tackles. The true freshman has been in double-figure tackles in six games, including five of the last six contests.
Lions Special Teams
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James Neal is a perfect 44-of-44 on PATs this season. He is looking to become the first Lion kicker to finish the year without missing a PAT. Neal has also made 12 field goals, the second-most in a season in Lindenwood history.
About Winona State
- Rayon Simmons is third in the nation with 144.2 rushing yards a game. He has 20 touchdowns on the year.
- John Teigland is averaging 239.9 passing yards a game. He has 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. The top receiver is Tyler Speer who has caught 45 passes for 729 yards and five touchdowns.
- Ryan Williams has 80 tackles to lead the defense. Morgan Weaver leads the team in tackles for loss and sacks, and Christopher Norgaard has a team-high three interceptions.
MIAA Notes
- Eight Lions were named to the MIAA all-conference teams. Cornerback
Pierre Desir was a first-team selection and running back
Denodus O'Bryant was a second-team pick. Honorable mention honors went to offensive lineman
Matt Andreolli, linebacker
Cody Fogle, linebacker
Connor Harris, wide receiver
Andrew Helmick, offensive lineman
Latham Johnson, and defensive lineman
Malach Radigan.
- The MIAA is currently 4-1 this year in the postseason, including a 1-1 mark against the NSIC.
