The Lindenwood football team won its 2015 season opener in dramatic fashion on Thursday night at Hunter Stadium. The Lions scored the game-winning touchdown with just 23 seconds remaining for a 20-14 win over Washburn.
 
Lindenwood trailed 14-13 when it received the ball for the final time with 1:44 left in the game. The Lions, led by quarterback Jesse Scroggins, went 64 yards to win the game. The drive started out slowly but Scroggins converted a third-and-two play with a three-yard rush. He then completed his next three passes with a 21-yard pass to Tre' Roby, a 20-yard pass to Ahmad Springer, and a 12-yard completion to Greg Coble. Those receptions got Lindenwood to Washburn's three, but the Lions lost four yards on their next two plays. On third-and-goal from the seven, Scroggins scrambled before finding Coble open in the endzone for the touchdown.
 
On the kickoff, Deon Rieux stopped Washburn's returner after just a 13-yard return from his endzone. The Ichabods were able to run just three plays before time expired.
 
While the offense won the game on the final drive, it was Lindenwood's defense that kept the team into the game until the end. Neither team scored in the first half, and the Lions were especially dominant. Washburn had two first downs in the first 30 minutes and managed just 60 yards. Lindenwood's offense had 180 yards in the first half and controlled the field position, but it couldn't get on the scoreboard.
 
Washburn received the kickoff in the second half and went 65 yards to open the scoring taking a 7-0 lead. The Lions scored their first points of the season later in the third quarter when Scroggins rushed the ball in from 17 yards out.
 
Lindenwood's defense forced turnovers on Washburn's next two possession, and it scored on the second turnover when Bakari Triggs returned an interception for a 45-yard touchdown. The Lions missed the extra point though which nearly proved costly when Washburn scored on its next possession and took a 14-13 lead. The Ichabods had a chance to run the clock out, but Lindenwood forced a turnover on downs which led to the team's game-winning drive.
 
Lindenwood finished the game with 329 total yards of offense, including 146 on the ground and 183 through the air. Washburn had 393 yards of offense, with 143 rushing and 250 passing. Lindenwood won the turnover battle by one, and also had 40 fewer penalty yards.
 
Connor Harris had 15 tackles to lead the defense, and also had 0.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Skyler Suggs had two of Lindenwood's four sacks, and Ben Jackson had 2.0 tackles for loss. Suggs also forced a fumble which was recovered by Justin Taylor.
 
Scroggins threw for 186 yards and had a total of two touchdowns. Lavorrie Johnson had a team-high 55 yards rushing, and Coble led the wide receivers had five receptions for 51 yards.
 
Game Notes: Lindenwood improves to 1-0 on the season and 1-0 in the MIAA … Washburn starts the season 0-1 overall and in the MIAA … Lindenwood won its season opener for the seventh straight year … the Lions improve to 11-1 in their home opener under head coach Patrick Ross … the Lions are now 4-2 all-time in Thursday night contests ... Lindenwood is now 2-2 all-time against Washburn, with both teams going 1-1 on their home fields … Washburn has outgained Lindenwood the last two years, but the Lions have won both of those games … punter Matt Klinger averaged 52.3 yards per punt, including  67-yard punt that was downed at the four-yard line … Lindenwood returns to action on Sept. 12 with a road game at nationally-ranked Pittsburg State.