Storylines:
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The Lindenwood football team looks to snap a three-game losing streak this Saturday when it travels to Topeka, Kan. to face Washburn at 1 p.m.
- The Ichabods enter the game ranked 10th in the latest NCAA Division II national poll. Washburn will be the highest-ranked team that Lindenwood has faced since moving to the NCAA level.
- The Lions are currently 3-4 overall and they are 2-4 in conference play. Washburn is 7-0 on the season and 6-0 in MIAA action.
- Lindenwood is 1-3 all-time against nationally-ranked NCAA Division II programs, including a 1-1 mark on the road against ranked teams. The last time the Lions played a ranked team on the road they came away with a 44-33 victory over Pittsburg State.
- Lindenwood ranks third in the MIAA this week with 292.3 passing yards a game. The Lions have a balanced passing attack as they are the only team in the MIAA with five players with over 200 receiving yards on the year.
- The Lions and Ichabods both rank in the top four in the MIAA in interceptions. Washburn leads the conference with 16, while Lindenwood is fourth with 10.
- The game marks the return to Yager Stadium for Lions' cornerback
Pierre Desir. The NFL prospect played his first two seasons for the Ichabods. Combined, he has 25 career interceptions, with 12 at Washburn and 13 at Lindenwood. The 25 interceptions is the second-most in MIAA history and the most by a MIAA player since 1980.
- Lindenwood and Washburn have faced each other just once before in their programs' histories. Last season in St. Charles, the Ichabods scored a touchdown with 23 seconds remaining for a 19-16 victory over the Lions.
- Washburn has the No. 1 defense statistically in NCAA Division II. The Ichabods are allowing just 11.4 points a game, and have forced 24 turnovers. Both of those marks are first in NCAA Division II.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranks 11th in the MIAA in scoring offense (22.6) and 11th in total offense (376.9).
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Marvin Byrd is 96 rushing yards away from reaching 1,000 for his career. He will be the ninth Lindenwood player to reach that mark.
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Jaron Alexander and
Alex Robinson are on pace to both finish in the top-10 in Lindenwood history for single-season receiving yards per game. Alexander is currently averaging 78.0 yards and Robinson is averaging 66.4 yards.
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Jaron Alexander,
Alex Robinson, and
Jordan Gater all rank in the top-ten in the MIAA in receptions per game.
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Dillon Miller threw for three touchdowns last week against Emporia State. He has thrown for three or more touchdowns twice this season and five times in his career.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood ranks ninth in the MIAA in scoring defense (35.0) and 10th in total defense (447.7).
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Pierre Desir leads the MIAA in interceptions and passes defended. He ranks tenth in the nation in interceptions and 15th in passes defended.
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Pierre Desir, who has five interceptions all-time at Yager Stadium, is one interception away from tying the Lindenwood career record of 14.
- Three Lindenwood defensive linemen have at least 5.0 tackles for loss in DeShawn Lawson,
Thomas Stubbs, and
Chris Floyd. Lawson leads the team with 5.5, including one last week.
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Thomas Stubbs is the team leader with 3.5 sacks this season.
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Dillon Hawkins led the team in tackles against Emporia State. He set a career-best with 15 versus the Hornets.
Lions Special Teams
- Lindenwood leads the MIAA in net punting and punt return defense.
Edward Burns is third in the MIAA with a 42.3 punting average.
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James Neal is three-for-three on field goal attempts this season, and 12-of-13 on PATs. He is fourth on the team with 21 points.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood has its final road game of 2013 with a contest at Missouri Southern on Nov. 2 at 2 p.m.
About Washburn
- Washburn has won its seven games by an average of 35.9 points, and only one game has been within three touchdowns.
- The Ichabods have a balanced offense led by Mitch Buhler who has thrown for 1,790 yards and 16 touchdowns.
- The top defender is Bryce Atagi who has 56 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, four pass breakups, and one fumble recovery.
MIAA Notes
- Five MIAA teams, Northwest Missouri (2), Missouri Western (4), Washburn (10), Pittsburg State (12), and Emporia State (17) are ranked in the latest AFCA national poll.
- The MIAA Players of the Week were: Central Missouri's Hayden Hawk (offense), Fort Hays State's Michael Terry (defense), and Emporia State's Eli Kuhns (special teams).
