Box Score Missouri Western scored 21 points off turnovers on Thursday night at Hunter Stadium as the Griffons defeated the Lindenwood football team by a 26-9 margin.
 
The Lions outplayed Missouri Western in the first half, but mistakes enabled the Griffons to lead 14-9 at halftime. Missouri Western scored on its first possession after a Lindenwood turnover set the team up in Lions territory. It scored on a 15-yard pass from TJ LaFaver to Brandynn Clark.
 
Lindenwood cut the lead to 7-6 early in the second quarter. On the first play of the drive, Graham Lindman completed a pass to Marvin Byrd, and Byrd outraced the Griffons to the endzone for a 66-yard score. The extra point was missed however keeping Missouri Western in the lead.
 
Lindenwood's next drive also went just one play but without the same success. A bad snap went into the endzone and Missouri Western recovered for a touchdown. Brandon White kicked a 29-yard field goal for the Lions to end the scoring in the first half.
 
After halftime, Missouri Western's defense took over the game. Lindenwood had seven full possessions in the half and had five punts, an interception, and safety. The Griffons allowed just 20 yards in the half and three first downs.
 
Missouri Western kicked a field goal in the third quarter to go up 17-9. Early in the fourth quarter it put the game away with a safety and a 32-yard interception return touchdown within three minutes of each other.
 
Lindenwood's defense held Missouri Western to 324 yards of total offense, including just 101 passing yards. The Griffons were just four-of-16 on third downs in the game. Connor Harris led that effort with 21 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, and a fumble recovery. Roderick Ryles also had double-figures with 10 tackles. Chaz Fulton and Ryan Mack each had a sack, and Steven Pace and Jeremy Morris collected interceptions.
 
Lindman, a true freshman, finished his first collegiate game with 145 yards passing and the one touchdown. Jaron Alexander was the top receiver with six catches for 103 yards.
 
Game Notes: Lindenwood falls to 1-3 on the year … Missouri Western improves to 3-1 … the game was televised on CBS Sports Network … it was Lindenwood's second nationally-televised game and it drops to 0-2 in those contests … the meeting was the first all-time between the Lions and Missouri Western … Jaron Alexander had his third 100-yard receiving game … Connor Harris set a career-high in tackles and had his 11th game with double-figure tackles … Lindenwood had a Pierre Desir bobblehead night and Pierre Desir, now with the Cleveland Browns, was on hand to do the coin flip … the other honorary captain was Sterling Thomas, a Lion who was injured during the 2012 season … Lindenwood falls to 3-2 all-time in Thursday night games, including 1-2 this season … Lindenwood will be in action again on Oct. 4 at Emporia State.