Storylines
- It is Homecoming Week at Lindenwood University, and the Lions football team will celebrate with a game at Hunter Stadium on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. against Nebraska-Kearney.
 
- Lindenwood is 1-5 overall and 1-5 in MIAA play. The Lions are looking to break a five-game losing streak, including a loss last weekend at No. 3 Northwest Missouri.
 
- Nebraska-Kearney is still looking for its first win under new head coach Josh Lamberson. The Lopers are 0-6 overall and in the MIAA. Last week, the Lopers fell at home to Northeastern State by a 31-14 margin.
 
- Lindenwood has faced one of the toughest schedules in NCAA Division II so far this season. The Lions have faced three nationally-ranked teams in six games, and the combined record of their opponents is 27-9 (.750). The schedule levels out the rest of the season, with the combined record of their remaining opponents being 8-22 (.270).
 
- Nebraska-Kearney leads the all-time series by a 2-1 margin, with home-field advantage being the key to the series. The home team has won all three games, and the average margin of victory in those three games is nearly 30 points. The Lions lost last year in Kearney by a 31-13 score.
 
- Lindenwood is 18-7 all-time in its Homecoming contests, but is 0-3 since moving to the MIAA. Last year, the Lions lost on Homecoming by a 51-20 margin against No. 1 Northwest Missouri. The team's last Homecoming victory came in 2011 with a 61-16 victory over Kansas Wesleyan. Defense has been a key in past Homecoming games, with the Lions allowing single-digit points in 11 of the 25 games.
 
- Saturday's game will feature two offenses that are struggling to put points on the board. Lindenwood has been held under 20 points for the last four games, while Nebraska-Kearney has scored over 14 points just once this season.
 
- The 2009 Lindenwood football team will be honored this weekend with induction into the Lindenwood Sports Hall of Fame. That team went 13-1 on the season and reached the NAIA Championship game. Lindenwood's offense put up one of the highest points total in college football history with 744, and the defense collected 38 turnovers. Jeff Hynes, the center on that team, will also be inducted as an individual.
 
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood is 11th in the MIAA in scoring offense (13.7) and in total offense (268.7).
 
- Freshman quarterback Mason Bendigo has been much more comfortable at home this season. He is completing 60 percent of his passes at Hunter Stadium, and has thrown just one interception in three games.
 
- Wide receiver Jaron Alexander needs one reception to move into second-place at Lindenwood in career receptions. He currently has 135 catches as a Lion.
 
- Three different Lion running backs have rushed for over 50 yards in a game this season. Lavorrie Johnson has three games over 50 yards, and Calen Campbell and DeAngelo Strickling each have once.
 
- Lindenwood's offense has cut its turnovers down lately with four in its last three games, including none in its last home game.
 
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood is 11th in the MIAA in scoring defense (37.2), and in total defense (450.0).
 
- Connor Harris is first among all active players at all levels of NCAA football with 418 career tackles, and he is one of just three juniors in the top-20 of that list. He needs five more tackles to move into the MIAA's top-10 career list, and he is 73 tackles away from Pittsburg State's Nate Dreiling, who is the MIAA's all-time leader in tackles.
 
- Connor Harris leads NCAA Division II in tackles per game with 17.8. If he continues this pace, he will break the NCAA Division II records for tackles in a game and total tackles (tackle records go back to the 2000 season).
- Dante Lewis leads the Lions with five pass breakups on the season. All five have come over the last four weeks of the season.
 
- Four other Lindenwood players are averaging six or more tackles a game. Roderick Ryles is second on the team with 49 tackles, and Clint Koons has 46 on the year.
 
Lions Special Teams
- Matt Klingler leads NCAA Division II with 46.4 yards per punt. He has punted 29 times and has 11 punts over 50 yards. Nine of his punts have been inside the 20-yard line.
 
- Since week two of the season, Brandon White is two-of-two on field goals and eight-of-eight on PAT attempts.
 
- Deon Rieux leads the team with eight special teams tackles, including two on kickoffs and six on punt coverage. DJ Hicks, Nate Blanchard, and A.J. Chappelle also have two tackles apiece on kickoff coverage, and Clint Koons is tied for the team-high with six tackles after punts.
 
Misc. Notes
- Lindenwood travels to Missouri Southern on Oct. 24. The 2:37 p.m. game will be the MIAA Television Network Game of the Week.
 
About Nebraska-Kearney
- The Lopers are fifth in the MIAA in total defense, allowing just under 400 yards a game.
 
- Six of Nebraska-Kearney's eight offensive touchdowns have been receiving touchdowns, including three by Tityus Mitchell.
 
- Tyke Kozeal is second in the MIAA with 88 tackles. He has 7.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, and one pass breakup.