Box Score The Lindenwood football team struggled in the first half for the second straight week and it led to the team's second straight loss. The Lions fell to Fort Hays State on Saturday at Hunter Stadium by a 31-17 score.

The Tigers scored on four of their first six possessions of the game to jump out to a 24-0 lead by halftime. Offensively, Lindenwood had three first-half turnovers which led to 10 Fort Hays State points.

In the second half, the Lions fought back into the game. It started the half with a 14-play drive that enabled the team to get on the scoreboard with a 26-yard James Neal field goal. After the two teams traded punts, Pierre Desir provided a spark to get Lindenwood going with an interception that he returned 45 yards to the Fort Hays State 20-yard line. Three Marvin Byrd rushes later, Lindenwood was on the board on an 11-yard rushing play.

Lindenwood's defense forced a three-and-out and the Lions took over to start the fourth quarter. It took just three plays for the Lions to go 90 yards after 49 and 41 yard passes from Dillon Miller to Jaron Alexander. That touchdown got Lindenwood within seven points at 24-17.

The Tigers did not score their next two possessions, giving the Lions a chance to tie the game. The big play though was a Lindenwood fumble near midfield that Fort Hays State recovered with 3:52 remaining. The Tigers then finished the game off with a 17-yard rushing touchdown for the final margin of 31-17.

Fort Hays State finished with 490 yards, including 303 rushing. Lindenwood had over 300 passing yards and finished with 430 total yards. The Lions turned it over too much again with four turnovers and a -3 turnover margin.

Miller finished with 306 yards passing and had the one touchdown pass. Tre' Roby was a force running and receiving with 66 rushing yards and 90 receiving yards. Marvin Byrd was the leading rusher with 70 yards, and Alexander finished with 143 receiving yards.

Defensively, Clint Koons had a team-high 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Chris Floyd had two tackles for loss including the team's only sack. Desir finished with six tackles and one interception.

Game Notes: Lindenwood falls to 3-3 on the season and 2-3 in MIAA play … Fort Hays State improves to 2-4 on the year and 1-4 in conference action … Dillon Miller had his fifth 300-yard passing game of his career … Jaron Alexander had his third 100-yard receiving game and was just six yards shy of his career-best … Tre' Roby shattered his career-best marks in both rushing and receiving … Pierre Desir had his 24th career interception. He has made 12 of those interceptions at Lindenwood which ties for the second-most in school history and is two shy of the Lindenwood career record … Clint Koons had his second double-figure tackle total of his career and he is now averaging just under 10 tackles for his last four games … Lindenwood will be home next Saturday for its Homecoming contest against nationally-ranked Emporia State. That game will start at 1:30 p.m. at Hunter Stadium.