Storylines:
- The Lindenwood football team plays in the MIAA Game of the Week this Saturday. The Lions travel to Nebraska-Kearney for a 2:37 p.m. game on the MIAA Television Network.
- Head coach
Patrick Ross will be going for his 100th career victory as a collegiate head coach. He enters this week's game with a 99-34 all-time coaching record.
- Lindenwood is coming off a 27-10 win last week over Missouri S&T in the team's only non-conference game of the regular season. With the victory, the Lions improved to 3-1 on the season and they are currently 2-1 in MIAA action.
- The ten points allowed by Lindenwood's defense last week was the least amount of points allowed by the Lions against a NCAA Division II program.
- Lindenwood's defense forced six turnovers last weekend, including five interceptions. The five interceptions tied for the second-most in Lindenwood history for a single-game, and they were the most by a Lindenwood program since the 2004 season.
- Senior cornerback
Pierre Desir is living up to all of his preseason expectations. Despite teams mostly staying away from his side of the field, he is still tied for first in the MIAA with two interceptions, and leads the MIAA with seven pass breakups and nine passes defended.
- The Lions are 1-0 when they have played in the MIAA Game of the Week. Last season, they defeated Missouri Southern 45-30 as part of the conference's television package.
- Lindenwood and Nebraska-Kearney are playing for just the second time. Last year in St. Charles, the Lions jumped out to a 42-7 halftime lead and eventually won by a 49-28 margin.
- Nebraska-Kearney is currently 0-4 overall and 0-4 in MIAA play. All four games were against teams that are currently ranked in the NCAA Division II national poll.
- It has been 20 seasons since Lindenwood has played a game in the state of Nebraska. In 1993, the Lions played their only previous game in Nebraska when they lost 58-9 at Peru State. Lindenwood is 3-5 all-time against schools from the state of Nebraska.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranks tenth in the MIAA in scoring offense (28.5) and ninth in total offense (439.2).
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Dillon Miller has thrown at least one touchdown pass in eight consecutive games. He has seven touchdown passes this season and 19 in his career.
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Dillon Miller ranks third this week in the MIAA in passing yards per game with a 320.2 average.
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Jaron Alexander is the hottest wide receiver on the team, including collecting his first receiving touchdown of the year against Missouri S&T. He is averaging 118.5 receiving yards over the last two weeks.
- Running back
Marvin Byrd has one rushing touchdown in every game this season. He is tied with wide receiver
Alex Robinson for the team-high with 24 points this season.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood ranks eighth in the MIAA in scoring defense (26.5) and seventh in total defense (413.0).
- The six forced turnovers by Lindenwood against Missouri S&T is the second-most in the MIAA this season. The Lions are third for the season by forcing 11 turnovers.
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Clint Koons and
A.J. Chappelle both had their first double-figure tackles games of their careers against Missouri S&T. Koons and Chappelle had 11 tackles apiece in the game.
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Wesley Thomas' two interceptions marked the 18th time in Lindenwood history that a player had two interceptions in a game. No Lion has ever recorded three interceptions in a single contest.
- There have been seven interception return touchdowns in the MIAA this season. Lindenwood's
Brian Hawthorne and
D'Andre Green have two of those.
Lions Special Teams
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James Neal moved into sole possesion of second place in Lions history for career field goals with his first field goal on Saturday. He enters play this week with 31 made field goals.
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Edward Burns is second in the MIAA with a 42.4 punting average.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood returns home on Oct. 12 for a 1:30 p.m. game against Fort Hays State. That contest starts a two-game homestand.
About Nebraska-Kearney
- Nebraska-Kearney ranks 13th in the MIAA in scoring offense (15.0) and 11th in scoring defense (44.0).
- Bronson Marsh leads the Lopers in passing yards (166.0) and rushing yards (98.8). He has a hand in six touchdowns this season.
- Kellen Werner is the top defensive player with 43 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a sack.
MIAA Notes
- Five MIAA teams, Northwest Missouri (3), Missouri Western (6), Pittsburg State (10), Washburn (15), and Emporia State (24) are ranked in the latest AFCA poll.
- The MIAA Players of the Week were: Pittsburg State's John Brown (offense), Northwest Missouri's Matt Longacre (defense), and Missouri Western's Dominic Thomas (special teams).
