The Lindenwood football team (3-2, 1-0 GLVC) upset No. 18 Truman State (4-1, 0-1 GLVC) by a final of 31-21 on Saturday night in Kirksville, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
The Lions started the night slow, as the Bulldogs took a 14-0 lead.  Lindenwood found momentum in the second quarter, after a hard run by Robert Giaimo sparked the offense.  Shortly after, Payton Rose made a spectacular grab near the goal line to set up a touchdown run by Giaimo to cut the deficit in half.
 
On the ensuing drive, Tayvian Weary recovered a fumble on a botched play by the Bulldogs to give the Lions great field position.  Cade Brister found his groove as he began to pick apart the Truman State defense.  Brister found Glen Gibbons near the sidelines, as he broke a few tackles before he was called out of bounds just shy of the end zone.  Giaimo punched it in again to make it a 14-14 ballgame.
 
Near the end of the half, Truman State had a chance to take the lead, but Kai Ross jumped the route and picked off the pass to give the Lions possession.  Lindenwood chewed up the clock and settled for a 36-yard field goal by Logan Seibert to put the Lions ahead 17-14 at the break.
 
After both teams traded drives to start the third quarter, Brister found Gibbons for a 33-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 10 points.  Truman State ran the ball well on the next drive, but it was halted after Drew Seers snagged his third interception of the season.
 
In the fourth quarter, Giaimo led the Lions down the field and capped off an 84-yard drive with a 22-yard scamper to give Lindenwood a 31-14 advantage.  The Bulldogs were able to add another score with 7:06 to go in the game, but Brister continued his efficient night to keep the chains moving.  On a key third down, Brister found Rose to convert and keep the clock running.  Lindenwood failed to score on the drive, but the Lions consumed 5:44 of game clock to put the game out of reach.
 
For the second time, the Lions took down Truman State while the Bulldogs were ranked in the NCAA Division II polls.  Giaimo scored three times on the ground with a total of 108 yards on 21 attempts.  Brister was a smooth 25-for-32 passing with 291 yards through the air.  Lindenwood had five different receivers register four or more receptions, while four receivers compiled 40 yards or more in the game.  Defensively, the Lions were led by Seers who had another game with double-digit tackles, while Grady Daniels had nine tackles on the night.  Lindenwood registered one sack, 3.0 tackles for loss, and three turnovers to earn its second road victory of the season.
 
GAME LEADERS
Robert Giaimo (21 rushes, 108 yards, 3 TD, 150 all-purpose)
Payton Rose (7 catches, 95 yards)
Cade Brister (25-for-32, 291 yards, 1 TD, 38 rush yards)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will return home on Saturday to take on Quincy at 1:00 p.m. from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo.