Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team opens up its 24th season of football on Thursday night at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo. The Lions will kickoff at 7 p.m. against Lincoln University.
- Lindenwood will be starting its second season of play in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA). Last year, the Lions went 7-3 in conference play in their inaugural year and tied for fourth place in one of the toughest conferences in NCAA Division II.
- The Lindenwood Athletics Department officially completed its three-year transition period to the NCAA Division II level this summer, making the football team eligible for the NCAA Division II Tournament for the first time this season. The Lions were eligible for a NCAA Division II Bowl Game in 2012, and they participated in the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo.
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Patrick Ross begins his 10th season as Lindenwood's head coach and his 12th season as a collegiate head coach. He has an all-time record of 96-33, and has a mark of 82-26 at Lindenwood.
- Lindenwood is 11-12 all-time in its season opener, including victories in each of its last four season openers. Last year, the Lions defeated Lincoln by a 49-28 score in the teams' season opener.
- Lindenwood is 17-6 all-time in its home opener, including a perfect 9-0 mark in the
Patrick Ross era. Last year, Lindenwood won its home opener by a 35-14 score versus Southwest Baptist.
- The Lions are opening the season for the second time on a Thursday night. The first came in 2010 when Lindenwood defeated Evangel by a 68-7 score.
- Lindenwood will have a different look this season as just seven projected starters this Thursday are returning starters from last year. The top returner is senior cornerback
Pierre Desir, a NCAA Division II All-American after intercepting nine passes last season.
- The Lions were picked fifth in the preseason MIAA coaches and media polls, while Lincoln was selected 14th in both rankings.
- Lincoln went 1-10 in conference play last year with its lone win being a 34-27 decision versus Nebraska-Kearney.
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood ranked fifth in the MIAA last season in scoring offense (31.1) and total offense (425.8).
- Sophomore
Dillon Miller is currently tabbed to be the week one starter. He started the final five games of the season last year and threw for 1,189 yards and 12 touchdowns.
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Marvin Byrd is the top returning running back. The 2011 Lindenwood Freshman of the Year has averaged 5.5 yards per carry in his first two season, and he has seven rushing touchdowns.
- Lindenwood's top three returning wide receivers,
Alex Robinson,
Sam Sealer, and
Jaron Alexander, combined for 67 receptions, 953 receiving yards, and four receiving touchdowns last season.
- Lindenwood's offensive line returns just one starter, left tackle
Jacob Heneisen. He will be joined on the line by one other returner, one transfer, and two freshmen.
- The Lions' returners accounted for just 10 of the team's 48 touchdowns last season.
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood ranked fifth in the MIAA last year in scoring defense (24.6) and tenth in total defense (395.7).
- Cornerback
Pierre Desir has 21 career interceptions which ranks sixth in MIAA history. He is eight away from the MIAA record, and just two away from moving into third-place.
- Linebacker
Connor Harris led the MIAA with 126 tackles last season. He recorded at least eight tackles in every game and had seven games with double-figure tackles.
- Lindenwood is projected to start three newcomers on defense. True freshman
DeShawn Lawson is expected to start on the defensive line, while transfers
Roderick Ryles (Pittsburgh) and
D'Andre Green (Hartnell) should start in the secondary.
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Chris Floyd is one of the top returners on the line after recording 5.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks last season.
Lions Special Teams
- Lindenwood will be without regular placekicker
James Neal in week one.
Anderson Oliva and
Brandon White are in competition to handle kicking duties against Lincoln.
- Punter
Edward Burns returns after averaging 39.3 yards a punt last season.
Lions Schedule
- Lindenwood goes on the road for two straight games after Lincoln, starting with a Sept. 14 contest at Southwest Baptist.
About Lincoln
- Lincoln averaged 21.2 points and allowed 41.6 points a game in 2012.
- The Blue Tigers return 53 letterwinners, including nine offensive starters and seven defensive starters.
- Lincoln is coached by former St. Louis Ram Mike Jones. Jones is in his third year at Lincoln.
MIAA Notes
- Three MIAA teams, Northwest Missouri (4), Missouri Western (6), and Pittsburg State (21) are ranked in the preseason AFCA poll. Central Missouri, Washburn, and Emporia State are also receiving votes in the ranking.
