The Lindenwood football team (9-2, 7-0 GLVC) closed out the regular season with a 45-30 win over McKendree (4-7, 3-4 GLVC) on Saturday at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood took an early lead after Nash Sutherlin scored from two yards out for the only score in the first quarter.  Robert Giaimo busted through for a 50-yard run to put the Lions up 14-0 less than three minutes into the second quarter.  The Bearcats got on the board later in the quarter, as they scored a rushing touchdown and hit a field goal to make it 14-9.  Alex Faddoul hooked up with Payton Rose on a 19-yard touchdown pass, and Logan Seibert drilled a 47-yard field goal to give Lindenwood a 24-9 lead at the half.
 
McKendree put together a solid drive to start the third quarter, as the Bearcats pulled within eight points at the 10:44 mark.  After an interception by Drew Seers, Faddoul took the snap on the first play 35 yards to the house to put the Lions up 31-16.  The Bearcats again pulled within eight points heading into the fourth quarter.  Faddoul and Rose connected for the second time early in the fourth quarter, as the Lions maintained a comfortable lead.  Faddoul capped off the scoring for the Lions, as he flew down the field for a 54-yard touchdown run with 9:24 to go in the game.
 
The Lions held on for the win, marking its second-undefeated season in the GLVC since joining the league in 2019.  Lindenwood earned its second title in as many years competition in the conference, as the 2021 senior class will leave Lindenwood with two conference championship rings.
 
Rose moved into second place on the program's career leaderboard with his 26 receiving touchdowns.  Sutherlin now sits in a tie for eighth place with his 16 career rushing touchdowns.  Seers was all over the field on Saturday, as he compiled 12 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss, one interception, and one quarterback hurry.  Andrew Rodriguez tied Seers for most tackles for the Lions, as he posted 12 tackles with three solo stops.  Derek Edwards tallied a pair of tackles for loss, including one sack.  Glen Gibbons (89) and Spencer Redd (88) each racked up nearly 100 yards receiving, as the two combined for 18 receptions.  Redd continued to be a spark plug in the return game, as he registered 63 yards on two kick returns.
 
GAME LEADERS
Alex Faddoul (20-for-34, 261 pass yards, 2 pass TD, 126 rush yards, 2 rush TD)
Drew Seers (12 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 1 INT, 1 QBH)
Payton Rose (6 catches, 49 yards 2 TD)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will tune in to the NCAA Selection Show on Sunday to see the playoff picture for the NCAA Division II Playoffs.