Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team starts a two-game homestand this Saturday with a 1:30 p.m. contest at Hunter Stadium against Fort Hays State.
- The Lions are 3-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play after suffering their second loss of the season last week at Nebraska-Kearney.
- The Lions have been a different team at Hunter Stadium this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. While going 2-0 at home, the defense is allowing 16.0 points and forcing 3.5 turnovers a game. While going 1-2 on the road, Lindenwood is allowing 43.3 points and forcing just 1.3 turnovers a contest.
- Pierre Desir leads the MIAA and is ninth in the country with nine passes defended. The senior has seven pass breakups and two interceptions on the season.
- Lindenwood ranks second in the MIAA and 22nd in the nation in pass offense with over 300 passing yards a game. Dillon Miller has thrown for 1,361 yards and seven touchdowns.
- Head coach Patrick Ross is going for his 100th career victory as a collegiate head coach. He enters this week's game with a 99-35 all-time coaching record.
- Turnovers could be a key statistic this week. In its three victories, Lindenwood has a +3 turnover margin, while in its loss it has a -6 turnover margin. Fort Hays State, meanwhile, is last in the MIAA with a -10 turnover margin.
- Fort Hays State has a similar resume as Nebraska-Kearney. The Tigers are 0-4 in conference play but every loss has come against a nationally-ranked program.
- The Tigers picked up their first win of the season last week with a 34-17 non-conference victory over William Jewell.
- Lindenwood is 1-0 all-time against Fort Hays State. Last season in Hays, Kan., the Lions had a come-from-behind 20-17 victory. Marvin Byrd scored the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth, and Pierre Desir sealed the win with an interception in the endzone with 1:17 remaining.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranks 11th in the MIAA in scoring offense (24.0) and 10th in total offense (390.4).
- The Lions have six wide receivers this season with at least 100 receiving yards, and three with over 250 yards. For the entire year in 2012, only five receivers had over 100 yards.
- Lindenwood has 24 offensive plays this season of 20 yards or more, with half of those coming in its two home games.
- Dillon Miller has two 300-yard passing games this season. He is one of five MIAA quarterbacks to have at multiple 300-yard games in 2013.
- Marvin Byrd ranks eighth in the MIAA this week with 78.8 rushing yards a game. He had his best yards per carry mark last week by averaging 6.5 yards against the Lopers.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood ranks eighth in the MIAA in scoring defense (32.4) and seventh in total defense (416.6).
- The Lions lead the MIAA in tackles for loss with 6.6 a game, and is third with 2.2 sacks a game. Thomas Stubbs leads the team individually in both of those categories with 5.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
- Lindenwood's defense is holding opponents to 36.8 percent in converting third and fourth downs during the team's three victories. In the losses, opponents are converting 55.9 percent.
- Clint Koons has 29 of his 31 tackles over the last three games as he has taken over one of the linebacker positions for injured Connor Harris. He leads the team in tackles during that span, with five more tackles than Roderick Ryles.
- Lindenwood forced five turnovers last season against Fort Hays State, including two interceptions by Pierre Desir.
Lions Special Teams
- Lindenwood leads the MIAA with a 39.1 yards net punting average. Edward Burns is third by averaging 43.2 yards a punt.
- Nick Grubbs leads the team with four special teams tackles. He has three on kickoffs, the same as Brian Hawthorne.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood will celebrate its Homecoming Game on Oct. 19 with a 1:30 p.m. contest against nationally-ranked Emporia State.
About Fort Hays State
- Fort Hays State is averaging 19.8 points and 329.0 total yards a game, while it is allowing 43.0 points and 456.4 total offensive yards a contest.
- Quarterback Treveon Albert has thrown five touchdown passes and rushed for three others. Edward Smith has five total touchdowns.
- Justin McPhail has a team-high 44 tackles to go along with 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and one interception.
MIAA Notes
- Five MIAA teams, Northwest Missouri (3), Missouri Western (6), Pittsburg State (10), Washburn (15), and Emporia State (23) are ranked in the latest AFCA poll.
- The MIAA Players of the Week were: Missouri Southern's Jay McDowell (offense), Pittsburg State's tyler Disney (defense), and Central Oklahoma's Marquez Clark (special teams).
