Storylines- The Lindenwood football team has its final home game of the 2014 season this Saturday. The Lions will host Central Oklahoma at 1:30 p.m. at Hunter Stadium.
- Lindenwood is 1-8 on the year, with every game being a MIAA contest. Last week, the Lions fell to Central Missouri by a 48-28 margin. The Lions set season-highs in rushing yards and total offensive yards, but seven turnovers kept them from putting enough points on the board for an upset win.
- Central Oklahoma is still alive for the conference title as it enters this week's game with a 7-2 overall and MIAA record. The Bronchos have won four out of their last five games, including a 28-10 victory last weekend over Northeastern State.
- Lindenwood and Central Oklahoma will be playing for the first time in MIAA action. The two teams have met once before in non-conference action, with the Lions defeating Central Oklahoma by a 48-14 score in 2011 in Edmond, Okla.
- Lindenwood is currently ranked second in the MIAA in pass offense with 260.0 passing yards a game. It will be going against the third-best passing defense this week, as the Bronchos are allowing just 166.2 passing yards a contest.
- On the other side of the ball, Central Oklahoma has a balanced offense that averages 185.8 rushing yards and 202.4 passing yards a game. The Lions enter the week ranked sixth in pass defense (202.8).
- The Lions have played the toughest home schedule in program history this year. Their opponents have a combined record of 32-13 (.711) on the season. Three opponents, including Central Oklahoma, are still alive for the MIAA title, and four of the five currently have winning records.
- Saturday's game is Senior Day for the Lindenwood Lions. Seventeen players will be playing their final game at Hunter Stadium in a Lindenwood uniform. Those players are: punter
Edward Burns, running back
Marvin Byrd, offensive lineman
Alex Dole, defensive lineman
Kwame Featherson, cornerback
D'Andre Green, linebacker
Dillon Hawkins, cornerback
Brian Hawthorne, offensive lineman
Jacob Heneisen, wide receiver
Francisco Llanos, defensive end
Ryan Mack, wide receiver
Jacob McDermott, cornerback
Jeremy Morris, wide receiver
Alex Robinson, wide receiver
Chase Stewart, defensive end
Xavier Warren, offensive line
J.T. Young, and long snapper
Efrain Zendejas.
Lions Offense- Lindenwood enters this week ranked tenth in the MIAA in scoring offense (18.6) and ninth in total offense (326.3).
- Over the last five games, the Lions are averaging 293.8 passing yards a game, and they have thrown nine touchdown passes.
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Jaron Alexander caught 11 passes last week, the second time in two years that he has caught double-figures against Central Missouri. He is the first Lindenwood player in program history with two double-figure reception games in a career.
- Running back
Lavorrie Johnson has scored a touchdown in four straight games, and leads the team in scoring. Over the last four weeks, he is averaging 138.0 all-purpose yards a game.
- Wide receiver
Greg Coble continued his late season surge last week. Over the last four games, he has 14 receptions for 251 yards and three touchdowns.
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Graham Lindman is averaging 224.3 passing yards a game this season. He would rank third in the MIAA in that category if he met the minimum number of games played (75%).
Lions Defense- Lindenwood enters play this week ranked eleventh in the MIAA in scoring defense (35.6) and tenth in total defense (411.9).
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Connor Harris currently ranks sixth in NCAA Division II with 13.1 tackles a contest. He leads the MIAA in total tackles by just three tackles.
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Roderick Ryles has moved up to seventh in the MIAA with 8.9 tackles a game. He is averaging 11.3 tackles a game over the last six contests.
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Jeremy Morris leads the team with two interceptions and six pass breakups. He has at least one pass defended in every game but two.
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Skyler Suggs recorded 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.0 sacks last weekend at Central Missouri. The 3.5 tackles for loss in a single-game ties for the most this season by a MIAA defender.
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Skyler Suggs now ranks fifth in the MIAA with 9.0 tackles for loss, and is 11th in the conference wtih 3.5 sacks.
Lions Special Teams-
Lavorrie Johnson currently ranks second in the MIAA with 20.6 yards per kickoff return, and he is sixth in the league with 98.0 all-purpose yards a game.
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Edward Burns ranks fifth in the MIAA with 40.2 punting yards a game.
Misc. Notes- Lindenwood has its final game of the season on Nov. 15 with a 1 p.m. game at Northeastern State.
About Central Oklahoma- Central Oklahoma is 7-2 on the season, with its losses coming against Northwest Missouri and Central Missouri.
- Jake Gandara leads the rushing attack with 110.5 yards a game, and 10 touchdowns. Chas Stallard is throwing for just over 200 yards a game, and has seven touchdown passes.
- The trio of Chass Glaspie, Malcolm Howard, and Matt Pruitt have a combined 193 tackles this year. Kenny Allen leads the team with 6.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. Cody Jones has a team-high four interceptions.
