Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team plays its first MIAA football game this Saturday in Jefferson City, Mo. against the Lincoln Blue Tigers. Game time is 2 p.m. at Dwight T. Reed Stadium.
- The Lions are coming off an 8-3 season last year during its transition season from the NAIA to the NCAA Division II level. Lindenwood went 1-1 against NCAA Division I programs and 3-2 against NCAA Division II schools.
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Patrick Ross is beginning his ninth season as the head coach of the Lindenwood program. He has a mark of 74-22 at the school, including a 51-10 record over the last five years.
- The Blue Tigers went 1-10 last season under first-year head coach Mike Jones... the Mike Jones best known in the St. Louis area for making “The Tackle” in Super Bowl XXXIV. Lincoln finished last in the MIAA with an 0-9 mark.
- Lindenwood has an experienced team in 2012 including 24 seniors on the active roster. Eleven of those seniors are expected to start Saturday's contest.
- Both teams will be breaking in a new starting quarterback on Saturday. Lindenwood is expected to go with
Ben Gomez, the 2011 California Community College Athletic Association Offensive Player of the Year. Jacob Morris played in three games last year for Lincoln and completed 60.9 percent of his passes for 133 yards and one touchdown.
- The Lions were picked eighth out of 15 teams in the preseason coaches and media MIAA polls. Lincoln was selected 15th in both of those rankings.
- Lindenwood has won its last three season openers, including a 22-20 victory over NCAA Division I FCS Northern Colorado in 2011. The Lions are 10-12 all-time in season openers, including a 5-3 mark in the
Patrick Ross era.
- This will be the first meeting between Lindenwood and Lincoln on the football field. In fact, in 2012, Lindenwood will be facing 10 of its 11 opponents for the first time.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood averaged 40.3 points and 367.9 total yards of offense a game last season. Over the last five years, the Lions are averaging 44.7 points a game, including a 49.6 average over the last three years.
- Wide receiver
Andrew Helmick enters play with 120 points. He needs just eight more points to break into Lindenwood's top-10 career points lists.
- Running back
Denodus O'Bryant is Lindenwood's all-time leader in touchdowns with 47. He has scored 27 rushing touchdowns, 12 receiving touchdowns, and eight special teams touchdowns.
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Ben Gomez set numerous school records last year at Saddleback College, breaking marks previously held by Colt Brennan. He threw for 3,651 yards and 33 touchdowns.
- Lindenwood returns three of its five starting offensive linemen from 2011 in tackles
Jacob Heneisen and
Matt Andreolli, and center
Matt Atley.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood's defense allowed 23.6 points and 352.8 total yards a game last year.
- The Lions recorded 35 sacks in 2011, the most by the program under
Patrick Ross.
- The defensive line trio of
Joe Day,
Malach Radigan, and
Sean Gracy combined for 21.0 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks.
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Brock Reed and
Cody Fogle are the top two returning tacklers from 2011 with 69 and 65 tackles, respectively.
- A pair of newcomers lead Lindenwood at the cornerback position. Juniors
Pierre Desir (Washburn) and
Tevin McCaskill (Pasadena City) have combined for 17 interceptions at their previous schools.
Lions Special Teams
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James Neal returns as the placekicker. He was nine-of-11 on field goals and 54-of-57 on PATs in 2011.
- Lindenwood will have a new punter this year in sophomore Ed Burns.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood's home opener is on Sept. 8 against Southwest Baptist.
- That game starts a four-game homestand for the Lions, which tied for the third-longest in program history.
About Lincoln
- Lincoln returns 14 starters (six on offense and eight on defense) from last year's squad.
- Lincoln opened last season wtih a 35-3 win over Avila, but dropped its final 10 contests of the season.
- Last season marked Lincoln's return to the MIAA in the sport of football.
MIAA Notes
- Defending national champion Pittsburg State was the favorite to win the conference in the coaches and media preseason polls.
- Four MIAA schools are nationally ranked: Pittsburg State (No. 1), Northwest Missouri (No. 3), Missouri Western (No. 18), and Washburn (No. 20). Two others are receiving votes.
