Storylines
- The Lindenwood football team travels to the west side of the state on Saturday afternoon for a 1 p.m. game against the Missouri Western State University Griffons.
 
- Lindenwood enters the game with a 2-3 overall record, and it is currently tied for sixth in the MIAA standings. Last week, the Lions fell to No. 14 Fort Hays State by a 38-35 score. The two teams were tied at the end of three quarters, but the Tigers went ahead with a field goal and an interception return touchdown in the fourth.
 
- Missouri Western is tied for fourth in the conference standings with a 3-2 record on the season. Last Saturday, the Griffons defeated Northeastern State by a 65-17 margin.
 
- Lindenwood enters play this week as one of two teams in the MIAA that ranks in the top-five in the conference in both total offense and total defense. The Lions are led by a rushing attack that is third in the MIAA, and a pass defense that is second among conference schools.
 
- Missouri Western leads the MIAA and is 17th among NCAA Division II schools with 39.6 points a game. Over the last four weeks, the Griffons have scored over 40 points in every game. In that span, they are averaging 48.8 points and 472.3 total yards of offense a game.
 
- The turnover battle could play a key role in the game. Lindenwood has not lost the turnover battle yet this season, while Missouri Western has a +9 turnover margin on the season.
 
- The Lions have never defeated Missouri Western, as they are 0-3 in the all-time series. The two teams have met just once before in St. Joseph, Mo., with the Griffons winning by a 34-14 margin.
 
- Last season, Missouri Western won the meeting with Lindenwood by a 37-29 score. The Griffons led 27-23 at halftime, and extended their lead to 30-23 early in the fourth quarter. The Lions scored a touchdown to get within one point, but Missouri Western scored a touchdown midway through the quarter in what turned out to be the final points of the game.
 
Lions Offense
- Lindenwood is currently fifth in the MIAA in total offense (438.2), and sixth in scoring offense (31.8).
 
- Najee Jackson had his first 300-yard passing game last week against Fort Hays State. His 365 yards in the contest were the 13th-most in program history for a single game. On the season, Jackson has nine touchdown throws and no interceptions.
 
- Calen Campbell needs just 73 rushing yards to join the school's 1,000-yard rushing club. He is already tenth in the program's career record book in that category.
 
- Deantrell Prince went over 1,000 career receiving yards last week. He now has 1,066 for his career. He is the second active Lion with over 1,000 yards for his career, joining DeSean Warren.
 
- Lindenwood's offensive line has allowed just four sacks this season, the fewest in the MIAA. The Lions rank 12th nationally in fewest sacks allowed.
 
Lions Defense
- Lindenwood is currently ranked fifth in the MIAA in total defense (390.2), and fourth in scoring defense (24.0).
 
- Lindenwood's defense has faced a tough schedule so far this year. It has gone against the No. 2 (Fort Hays State), No. 3 (Central Oklahoma), and No. 4 (Washburn) scoring teams in the MIAA, and will face the No. 1 squad this week in Missouri Western.
 
- Jonathan Harris enters play this week needing two tackles to reach 100 for his career. He also has 23.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks as a Lion.

- Lindenwood has two of the top-10 players in the MIAA in tackles. Darrius Williams has 60 tackles, the most in the conference, and Seers is fifth with 49 stops.
 
- Darrius Williams has recorded double-figure tackles in three out of the four games this season. He ranks third in the MIAA in tackles per game.
 
- Ace Rogers has three fumble recoveries on the season, including two last week against Fort Hays State. He is first in the MIAA in fumble recoveries, and third in NCAA Division II.
 
- Ricky McCoy has an interception in two straight games. His two picks on the season ranks third in the MIAA.
 
Lions Special Teams
- Michael Crowder has at least one punt inside the 20 in each game this year. Last week, each of his five punts were 45 yards or longer, including a season-best 56-yard punt that was downed inside the 10-yard line.
 
- Kendell Sparks currently ranks eighth in program history with 619 career kickoff return yards, and eighth with 163 career punt return yards.
 
Team Notes
- Lindenwood has a streak of 11 straight games of having fewer turnovers or the same amount of turnovers as its opponent. It has a +10 turnover margin in that span.
 
- The Lions are outscoring their opponents 90-38 in the first half, but are being outscored 82-69 in the second half.
 
- Lindenwood has its Homecoming Contest on Oct. 14 at 1 p.m. versus Emporia State.
 
Scouting The Griffons
- Missouri Western is fifth in NCAA Division II, and first in the MIAA, by forcing 16 turnovers this season. The Griffons have eight interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
 
- The Griffons lead the conference in scoring offense with 39.6 points a game, but they are seventh with 419.6 total yards of offense a game.
 
- Missouri Western is sixth in the MIAA in scoring defense by allowing 28.2 points a game, and is seventh in total defense with 414.2 yards allowed a game.
 
- Dom Marino has thrown eight touchdown passes, and rushed for three other scores.
- Missouri Western leads the MIAA and is 14th nationally with 252.2 rushing yards a game. Josh Caldwell is first in the conference and 24th nationally with 111.8 yards a game. He has six rushing touchdowns.
 
- Dijuan Ussery is among the team's receiving leaders with nine catches for 151 yards and three touchdowns.
 
- Cody Lindsay leads the team with 31 tackles and 5.5 tackles for loss. Jabbar Miles and Brandin Dandridge each have two interceptions.
 
- Missouri Western's special teams have blocked four kicks, including two by Nate Iloilo.