Box Score The Lindenwood football team dropped its Homecoming contest against Emporia State on Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium by a 52-21 margin.

The Lions had some success early slowing down one of the top offenses in NCAA Division II. Emporia State managed just 81 yards the first four times it touched the ball and Lindenwood forced three punts in that span.

The Hornets offense heated up though later in the first quarter. They would go on to score six touchdowns and one field goal on their next nine possessions. By the time the dust settled, Emporia State had built a 52-21 lead early in the fourth quarter.

Emporia State finished with 561 total yards of offense, including 256 rushing and 305 passing. Lindenwood had 254 total yards, with the majority coming from 213 passing yards. The Hornets also forced four turnovers, compared to just one for the Lions.

Dillon Miller threw three touchdowns for Lindenwood to Jordan Gater, Alex Robinson, and Jaron Alexander. Gater finished with team-highs of five receptions and 61 receiving yards. Marvin Byrd was Lindenwood's top rusher with 41 yards.

Defensively, Dillon Hawkins returned to the lineup and recorded a career-high 15 tackles. Chris Floyd had the team's only sack and Pierre Desir had an interception. D'Wayne Ward had two tackles for loss for Lindenwood, which finished with seven tackles for loss as a team.

Game Notes: Lindenwood falls to 3-4 overall and 2-4 in the MIAA … the Hornets improved to 7-0 overall and 7-0 in the MIAA … the Lions are now 17-6 all-time on Homecoming, with this loss being the largest setback for the program on Homecoming … Emporia State is now 2-0 all-time against Lindenwood … Dillon Miller passed 3,000 career passing yards … Alex Robinson has caught five touchdown passes in seven games this season, which leads the team … Pierre Desir is up to 25 career interceptions which ties him for second in MIAA history … the Lions go on the road for two straight games, starting next week at Washburn.