Lindenwood Game Notes

Emporia State Game Notes

MIAA Weekly Notes

Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team travels to Emporia, Kan. this weekend for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday against Emporia State.
 
- Lindenwood is 1-3 on the season and is tied for ninth in the MIAA. Emporia State is 2-2 on the year and tied for sixth in the conference standings.
 
- Last week, the Lions fell to Missouri Western by a 26-9 score at Hunter Stadium. Lindenwood's defense allowed just 10 points, but the Griffons recorded two defensive touchdowns and a safety. Emporia State, meanwhile, won a 42-35 double-overtime game at Northeastern State.
 
- The key matchup will be Lindenwood's defense against Emporia State's offense. The Lions have allowed just over 300 yards a game the last two weeks, and they are fifth in the MIAA by allowing 202.8 passing yards a game. Emporia State is second in the conference with 461.5 total yards of offense a game, and the Hornets lead the MIAA with 320.0 passing yards a contest.
 
- Lindenwood's offense will look to get on track against an Emporia State defense that is allowing 34.2 points a game this season. The Hornets defense has been tougher at home, allowing just 324.5 yards and 26.0 points a game at Welch Stadium, compared to 539.5 yards and 42.5 points a game on the road.
 
- Field position has been a key statistic for Lindenwood this season. Its opponents have a starting field position of the 40-yard line, nearly eight yards better than the Lions. Out of the 11 touchdowns that the Lindenwood defense has been on the field for, seven have started in Lindenwood territory.
 
- Turnovers are also another key statistics that the Lions look to improve on. Lindenwood had a +2 turnover margin in its victory this year, but is -6 in its three losses. The Lions have turned the ball over 10 times over the last three games. Emporia State has a +3 turnover margin in its two wins, and a -1 turnover margin in its two losses.
 
- Emporia State is 2-0 all-time against Lindenwood, including a 1-0 mark in games played in Emporia. In 2012, the Hornets won the first meeting on their home field by a 13-0 score. Last year, the Lions fell at home to Emporia State by a 52-21 margin.
 
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood enters this week ranked tenth in the MIAA in scoring offense (16.8) and tenth in total offense (273.0).
 
- True freshman quarterback Graham Lindman saw most of the action under center last week. He threw for 145 yards and one touchdown. If he starts this week, he will be the third Lindenwood true freshman to start a game since 2005 (joining Ben Kisner (2005) and Dillon Miller (2012)).
 
- Wide receiver Jaron Alexander ranks fourth in the MIAA in receptions (5.0) and receiving yards (71.5) per game. The junior needs one reception and 96 receiving yards to break into Lindenwood's top-10 career lists in those categories.
 
- Running back Marvin Byrd leads the team with three touchdowns, and he now has 18 for his career. He needs four more touchdowns to break into Lindenwood's top-10 career points lists.
 
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood enters play this week ranked eighth in the MIAA in scoring defense (30.5) and seventh in total defense (384.0).
 
- Over the last two games, Lindenwood's defense is holding opponents to a 22.6 percent conversion percentage on third-down plays.
 
- The Lions are fifth in the MIAA by allowing opponents to gain 5.1 yards per play.
 
- Linebacker Connor Harris recorded a career-high 21 tackles against Missouri Western. The 21 tackles in a game is the most in the MIAA this year, and the second-most at the NCAA Division II level.

- Connor Harris is second in the MIAA this year with 11.8 tackles a game, and 17th in NCAA Division II. He is third in the nation among active players in career tackles per game.
 
- Jeremy Morris is fourth in the conference with five passes defended on the year. He has four pass breakups and an interception. He has at least one pass defended in every game.
 
Lions Special Teams
- Tre' Roby is tenth in the MIAA in all-purpose yards with 88.2 a game. Among his totals are 66 punt return yards and 159 kickoff return yards.
 
Misc. Notes
- Lindenwood will be in action again on Oct. 11 against No. 1 Northwest Missouri. The game will be the Homecoming contest for the Lions.
 
- Lindenwood will be playing its first day game of 2014 against Emporia State. Its remaining seven games are all day contests.
 
- The Lions will be playing their third game in the state of Kansas this year. They are 1-1 in their previous two games.
 
About Emporia State
- Emporia State is 2-2 with wins over Missouri Southern and Northeastern State, and losses against Central Missouri and Central Oklahoma.
 
- Brent Wilson leads the MIAA and is seventh in the nation with 320.0 passing yards a game. He has 10 touchdowns, including six to Austin Willis. Willis leads the conference with 129.8 receiving yards a game.
 
- The Hornets' top defender Deshawn Dinwiddie did not play last week. He has 32 tackles, one interception, and three forced fumbles.