Lindenwood University Athletics

The Lindenwood football team did not enjoy its first trip to Maryville, Mo. on Saturday afternoon. The Lions fell to No. 3 Northwest Missouri by a 69-0 score.
 
The Bearcats came into the game with one of the nation's top defenses, and it lived up to that billing against the Lions. Lindenwood gained just 78 yards of total offense in the game, and averaged just 1.5 yards per play.
 
The Lions' inability to move the ball put the team's defense in bad spots throughout the day. Lindenwood's defense was on the field for over 37 minutes, and the Bearcats had a starting field position just shy of midfield.
 
The Lions trailed just 3-0 midway through the first quarter, but field position allowed the Bearcats to score two quick touchdowns before the end of the quarter on short drives of 28 and 42 yards.
 
Northwest Missouri added another touchdown early in the second quarter, before the two teams traded punts. Lindenwood had its best chance to get back into the game after Cortland Dunlap blocked Northwest Missouri's punt and gave the Lions the ball in Bearcats' territory. A 15-yard penalty pushed the team back though, and it was forced to punt. Northwest Missouri resumed its momentum with its longest drive of the day, going 80 yards for a touchdown. The Bearcats also added a field goal as the first half ended to lead 34-0.
 
The Bearcats scored three more touchdowns in the third quarter, including one being scored by the team's defense. Two special teams miscues then led to Northwest Missouri's final two touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
 
While Northwest Missouri had the better defense overall, Lindenwood had the best individual defensive player in Connor Harris. Harris recorded over 20 tackles for the second straight week, this time making eight solo tackles and 15 assisted stops. He had two tackles that kept the Bearcats short of the first-down marker on third-down plays, and forced one turnover on downs with a fourth-down tackle.
 
Also on defense, Wesley Thomas and Roderick Ryles had nine tackles apiece. Jonathan Harris had a sack, and Deon Rieux had a pass breakup.
 
DeAngelo Strickling led the offense with a season-high 54 rushing yards. DeSean Warren caught four passes for 44 yards.
 
Game Notes: Lindenwood falls to 1-5 overall and in MIAA play … Northwest Missouri improves to 6-0 overall and in conference action … Northwest Missouri now leads the all-time series by a 2-0 margin … the Lions have now visited every MIAA stadium at least one time … the Lions fall to 1-10 against ranked opponents since moving to the NCAA level, including 0-3 against top-five programs … Connor Harris has recorded 23 double-figure tackle games in his career, including 11 straight contests, and he has 20 or more tackles in five games … Jonathan Harris picked up his first collegiate sack … Lindenwood returns home for Homecoming next weekend when it faces Nebraska-Kearney in a 1:30 p.m. game at Hunter Stadium.