Storylines 
- The Lindenwood football team hosts Emporia State this Saturday at 2:37 p.m. at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo. The game is the MIAA Television Network Game of the Week.
 
- Lindenwood is 1-3 on the season and in MIAA play. The Lions opened the year with a victory over Washburn, but have dropped three contests since then. Last week, Lindenwood led Missouri Western 14-6 at halftime. It couldn't hold on for the final 30 minutes though as it was outscored 28-0 in the second half.
 
- Emporia State is currently one of two teams in the MIAA with a perfect 4-0 record on the season. The No. 23 Hornets have won every game by at least 10 points, including a 55-14 win over Northeastern State last Saturday.
 
- This week's contest is week five of a brutal first six weeks of the season for the Lions. The current combined record of Lindenwood's first six opponents in 2015 is 20-4 (.833). The combined record of its final five opponents heading into this week is 3-17 (.150).
 
- Lindenwood is looking for its first victory over Emporia State, as it is 0-3 in the all-time series. The two teams have met just once before in Hunter Stadium, with the Hornets winning in St. Charles in 2013. Last season, Emporia State scored 21 points off turnovers in a 37-22 win over the Lions.
 
- Lindenwood is currently fourth in the MIAA in pass defense, allowing just 208.5 passing yards a game. Emporia State's offense leads the MIAA with 356.8 passing yards a game.
 
- The Lions will need to exploit an Emporia State defense that has allowed more yards (427.0) than every school in the MIAA except two. Through four weeks, Lindenwood has been more balanced than the past two seasons. The Lions are running the ball 41.4 percent of the time, while passing the ball 58.6 percent of their plays.
 
- The Lions are 1-3 in their previous appearances on the MIAA Television Network Game of the Week. Lindenwood won its inaugural regional television game versus Missouri Southern in 2012, but has lost three straight since then. Lindenwood, who has not faced Emporia State in a MIAA Television Network game, will be on the network twice in the month of October.
 
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood is tenth in the MIAA in scoring offense (17.3), and it is tenth in total offense (311.3).
 
- Lavorrie Johnson had one of his top rushing games as a Lion last week, rushing for 62 yards on just eight attempts. His total rushing yards was the third-highest of his career, and his yards per carry was his highest for a single game. Johnson had the game's first score with a 19-yard run to cap off Lindenwood's first drive.
 
- Quarterback Jesse Scroggins has had a hand in five of the team's 10 touchdowns this season. He has rushed for two scores, and thrown for three other touchdowns.
 
- DeSean Warren is emerging as one of Scroggins' top targets. Over the last three weeks, he has caught 13 passes for 187 yards. He leads the team with 192 receiving yards, and is tied with 14 receptions.
 
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood is 11th in the MIAA in scoring defense (33.5), and is ninth in total defense (421.5).
 
- Lindenwood's defense has performed better at home in 2015. The Lions are allowing 360.5 total yards a game at Hunter Stadium, 120 yards fewer than they are allowing on the road. The Lions have also allowed 46 fewer points on the season at home compared to the road.
 
- Connor Harris leads NCAA Division II with 15.0 tackles per game this season. He is two tackles ahead of Nebraska-Kearney's Tyke Kozeal. Harris has recorded double-figure tackles in each of his last nine games, and is averaging 14.9 tackles a game in that span.
 
- Connor Harris is now up to 371 career tackles. Among all levels of NCAA football, only two players have more career tackles.
 
- Wesley Thomas had double-figure tackles against Missouri Western with 10. It was his first career game with 10 or more stops.
 
Lions Special Teams
- Matt Klingler leads NCAA Division II with a 47.9 punting average. Seven of his 16 punts have been 50 yards or longer, including a long of 67. He has five punts inside the 20-yard line, and only one touchback.
 
- Bakari Triggs is second in the MIAA with a 28.6 kickoff return average. He has returned five kicks over the last two games.
 
Misc. Notes
- Lindenwood goes on the road on Oct. 10 to face Northwest Missouri. The Bearcats are currently ranked No. 3 in NCAA Division II. The game will be Lindenwood's first trip to Maryville.
 
- Lindenwood is fourth in the MIAA on opponent third-down conversion, stopping opposing teams 62.9 percent of the time. Emporia State is first with a 67.1 third-down conversion percentage.
 
About Emporia State
- Emporia State leads the MIAA with 44.0 points a game, and has scored 30 more points than the No. 2 team in the conference.
 
- Brent Wilson leads the MIAA with 344.3 passing yards a game and 14 touchdowns. Four receivers rank in the top-10 in receiving yards.
 
- Jason Tetuan is third in the conference with 6.5 tackles for loss on the season.