The series history between Lindenwood and Central Oklahoma has seen most games follow a pattern of a close first half, followed by one team pulling away in the second half. That continued last Thursday in the season opener for both teams. Unfortunately, Lindenwood was on the wrong side of the second-half surge, and it fell in Edmond, Okla. by a 35-14 score.
 
After a pair of punts, the Bronchos scored first in the game, going 91 yards on their second possession. They were led by two big pass plays, including a 36-yard touchdown play. Lindenwood quickly answered with its first touchdown of the season. Calen Campbell rushed five times on the scoring drive for 42 yards, and the drive ended when Najee Jackson completed a third-down pass to Deantrell Prince for a touchdown.
 
Lindenwood's defense forced another punt early in the second quarter, and the Lions took their first lead of the season. Jackson got the Lions down the field by completing three passes for 51 yards, and then Shakeem Wharton broke loose for a 23-yard touchdown run.
 
That would be the high point for the Lions, as Central Oklahoma's running game took over after that point. The Bronchos tied the game with 4:55 left in the half, and went into halftime with a 21-14 lead after another score in the final minute of the period.
 
The statistics were fairly even in the first half. Central Oklahoma had 27 more yards, but the Lions averaged 6.0 yards per play, which was 0.6 higher than the Bronchos.
 
In the second half, both teams went three-and-out on their first possession. The Lions then had their longest drive of the game of 13 plays. Lindenwood completed three third-down plays, and had first-and-goal at the 10-yard line. On third down, Jackson threw into the endzone, but the pass was dropped. Lindenwood then missed its field goal attempt and came away with no points from the drive.
 
Central Oklahoma took advantage of the momentum swing and scored touchdowns on its next two possessions to go up 35-14. Lindenwood's biggest problem after that was that it couldn't get the ball back. The Bronchos went on a drive that lasted nearly nine minutes. They did not generate any points after the Lions held on fourth down inside the five-yard line, but that drive took away the time Lindenwood needed for a comeback.
 
Central Oklahoma finished with 408 yards of total offense, compared to 235 for Lindenwood. The Bronchos ran 19 more plays in the game, and held the ball for nearly 13 more minutes. Central Oklahoma also held a big advantage on third-down plays, making 12-of-18 on the night.
 
Jackson finished with debut with Lindenwood with 142 passing yards, 20 rushing yards, and no turnovers. Campbell and Wharton both had 40 rushing yards, and Campbell led the team with four receptions. Justin Smith had a team-high 37 receiving yards, and was one of five players with over 20 receiving yards on the day.

Defensively for Lindenwood, Darrius Williams had a team-high 10 tackles, followed by defensive lineman Jonathan Harris with eight. Arsante Conners had 2.0 tackles for loss and a sack. Ace Rogers had a pass breakup in his first game as a Lion.
 
Lindenwood has a quick turnaround with another Thursday night game this week. The Lions will have their home opener against Northeastern State at 7 p.m. in Hunter Stadium.