Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team will see its long homestand come to an end this weekend when it hosts Nebraska-Kearney at 1:30 p.m. at Hunter Stadium. The Lions come into the game with a 3-1 overall record and a 2-1 conference mark. The Lopers are 0-4 overall and 0-4 in the MIAA.
- The Lions had the biggest fourth-quarter comeback during the
Patrick Ross era last Saturday with a 28-24 win over Glenville State. Lindenwood trailed 24-7 after three quarters but scored 21 unanswered points for the victory.
- Lindenwood's
Pierre Desir was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Week after the Glenville State contest. He recorded 11 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss. On Glenville State's final drive, he made two tackles and intercepted a pass.
-
Denodus O'Bryant scored a career-high three rushing touchdowns against the Pioneers and moved closer to Lindenwood's career record for points. He now has 324 career points and needs just one more touchdown to pass the record of 329 which is held by kicker Halley Ferrell.
- Desir and O'Bryant are both in first-place in the MIAA in at least one statistical category. Desir is tied with four interceptions and is first with seven passes defended. O'Bryant is tied for first by scoring seven touchdowns on the year.
- Nebraska-Kearney is still looking for its first MIAA victory after also joining the league this year. The Lopers have faced a very difficult schedule as they have faced three nationally-ranked opponents and the combined record of their four opponents is 12-2.
- The Lopers, who went 10-1 in the regular season last year, are one of three teams that Lindenwood faces this year who participated in last year's NCAA National Tournament. The others are Washburn (Oct. 20) and Pittsburg State (Nov. 3).
- The turnover battle could play a role on Saturday afternoon. Lindenwood has turned the ball over 12 times this season, the second-most in the MIAA. Nebraska-Kearney though has forced just three turnovers, the lowest amount in the conference.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranks fifth in the MIAA in scoring offense (35.0 ppg) and seventh in total offense (385.2). The Lions are second in pass offense, but just 13th rushing offense.
- Wide receiver
Andrew Helmick had the eighth 100-yard receiving game of his career against Glenville State with 114 receiving yards. His game-winning rushing touchdown in that game was the second of his career and the first since week seven of the 2009 season.
- Quarterback
Ben Gomez is second in the MIAA in passing yards (297.2 ppg), and fourth in pass efficiency (146.5) and total offense (269.8 ppg).
-
Denodus O'Bryant is sixth in the conference in rushing with 79.2 yards a game. He has been consistent, rushing for over 70 yards in every game this season. O'Bryant is also fourth with 161.5 all-purpose yards a game.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood's defense is eighth in the MIAA in scoring defense (25.2 ppg) and seventh in total defense (341.2). The Lions are seventh in rushing defense and ninth in pass defense.
- Lindenwood's defense has allowed just 35 points in the second-half of games this year, including 14 in the fourth quarters. In the first half, the team has given up 66 points.
-
Cody Fogle recorded a career-best 11 tackles in the win over Glenville State. With those 11 tackles, he passed the 200 career tackle mark and now has 209 as a Lion.
- Three of Lindenwood's top five tackles this season are newcomers:
Connor Harris (36),
Jaz Granderson (26), and
A.J. Chappelle (24).
-
Malach Radigan recorded two sacks last week and is now tied with
Cody Reider for the team lead with three. Radigan also leads the squad with 5.0 tackles for loss.
Lions Special Teams
-
James Neal is a perfect 18-of-18 on the season on PATs, and two-of-two on field goals. He is the only MIAA kicker who has not missed a kick.
-
Edward Burns is averaging 38.9 yards on 17 punt attempts, and he has two inside the 20.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood starts a two-game road trip on Oct. 6 with a trip to Fort Hays State.
About Nebraska-Kearney
- Nebraska-Kearney is 12th in the MIAA in scoring offense and 14th in scoring defense.
- Tommy Flanagan leads the team in both rushing and receptions. He averages nearly 70 yards a game on the ground and almost 30 through the air.
- Sam Kuck is one of the MIAA's leading tackles with 10.5 tackles a game. He has 2.5 tackles for loss and one forced fumble on the year.
MIAA Notes
- This week's conference players of the week were: Joshua Birmingham, Central Oklahoma (offense),
Pierre Desir, Lindenwood (defense), and Todd Adolf, Northwest Missouri (special teams).
- Four MIAA schools are nationally ranked by the AFCA: Pittsburg State (No. 1), Missouri Western (No. 7), Northwest Missouri (No. 11), and Washburn (No. 20). Central Missouri and Emporia State are receiving votes.
