Box Score The Lindenwood football team came up just short on Saturday evening at Hunter Stadium as it lost to Central Missouri by a 35-28 score. The Mules broke a 28-28 tie with a touchdown with 3:02 remaining in the contest.

The Lions struck first in the contest with a field goal on their first possession, but couldn't build on that lead after the Lindenwood defense forced a turnover on Central Missouri's first drive. The Mules then struck twice with touchdowns on their next two possessions.

Central Missouri had a great chance to add to its 14-3 lead when Lindenwood turned it over on its 12-yard line. The Lindenwood defense held however and the Mules missed a short field goal attempt. After trading punts, Lindenwood's offense finally got things going late in the second quarter. The big play came on third-and-10 when Ben Gomez found Alex Robinson for a 49-yard completion to get the ball down to the Central Missouri 19-yard line. Two plays later, Gomez connected with Matt Angell for a six-yard touchdown pass.

Lindenwood wasn't done in the half after James Wofford intercepted a pass and returned it deep into Central Missouri territory. James Neal kicked his second field goal of the half with seven seconds remaining to make the score 14-13 at halftime.

Central Missouri struck quickly in the second half by taking the kickoff and putting together a nine-play, 67-yard drive that ended in a touchdown. Special teams then took over for both teams. Denodus O'Bryant took the Mules' kickoff eight yards deep in the endzone and returned it for a 100-yard kickoff return touchdown. Central Missouri's LaVance Taylor then returned Lindenwood's kickoff 83 yards which led to a quick Mules touchdown.

Lindenwood opened up the fourth quarter trailing 28-20 but it had the ball. The Lions went 10 plays and 66 yards to score a touchdown. The six points came when Gomez sneaked it in from one-yard out. Lindenwood then tied the score at 28 when Gomez found Alex Robinson for the two-point conversion.

Both teams had an opportunity to take the lead but both punted on its next possession. Central Missouri started its game-winning drive on the 19-yard line and had three plays of 19 yards of more, finished by a 21-yard run by Taylor.

On its final possession, Lindenwood got one first down, but a fumble moved the team back to a second-and-22. After picking up seven yards on second down, Central Missouri won the game with an interception with 37 seconds left.

Central Missouri outgained Lindenwood by a 441-315 margin in the game, which was helped by numerous long losses by the Lions on fumbled balls. Lindenwood threw for 262 yards and rushed for 53, while Central Missouri had 156 rushing yards and 285 passing yards. The Mules were nine-of-15 on third-down conversions and Lindenwood was just six-of-17.

O'Bryant finished the game with 84 rushing yards, 45 receiving yards, and 142 kickoff return yards. Gomez completed 21-of-34 passes for 262 yards and one touchdown. Robinson led the wide receivers with 104 receiving yards, and Angell and Andrew Helmick each had a team-high five receptions.

Connor Harris and Jaz Granderson each had a team-high nine tackles. Pierre Desir and Wofford had Lindenwood's two turnovers with interceptions. Jon McComb and Chaz Fulton each recorded a sack.

Game Notes: Lindenwood goes to 2-1 on the season and 2-1 in conference play … Central Missouri improves to 2-1 on the season and 2-1 in the MIAA … Denodus O'Bryant scored his ninth career special teams touchdown … Pierre Desir recorded his third interception of the season … the Lions fell for just the seventh time at Hunter Stadium since the 2004 season … Connor Harris, a true freshman, has now led the team in tackles for every game this season.