The Lindenwood football team (2-2) used a strong second-half surge to take down Findlay (2-2) by a final of 28-16 on Saturday in Findlay, Ohio.
 
GAME OVERVIEW
The first half was a defensive battle, as Findlay took a 3-0 lead into halftime.  The Oilers drove the ball down the field and settled for a field goal on their first possession.  The Lions responded with a solid drive as well, but Lindenwood failed to punch it in on a first and goal from the two-yard line.  Drew Seers and Kai Ross flew around the field in the first quarter, as each player compiled five tackles in the first 15 minutes of the game.  Lindenwood held the Oilers to just three passing yards in the second quarter to keep it a 3-0 ballgame.
 
The Lions made key adjustments at the break, which showed in the first possession of the third quarter.  Cade Brister led the Lions on an eight-play 74-yard drive that was capped off with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Payton Rose.  Brister threw for 69 yards on the drive on 5-of-5 passing.  After forcing a punt, the Lions took control at their own 14-yard line.  Lindenwood fed freshman Robert Giaimo immediately, and he took advantage.  Giaimo carried the ball five times for 76 yards to put the Lions ahead 14-3.
 
On the ensuing kickoff, Caleb Urwiller recovered a fumble at the Findlay 18-yard line to put the Lions in great position to break the game open.  Lindenwood needed just six plays to get in the end zone, as Brister ran the ball in on the first play of the fourth quarter to give Lindenwood a 21-3 lead.  Findlay continued to struggle in moving that ball, but a trick play led to a 49-yard touchdown to bring the game to 21-10 with 12:26 to go in the game.
 
The Lindenwood offense stayed hot on the next drive, as Brister found Alex Faddoul for a 20-yard touchdown pass to build the lead back to 18 points.  The Lions chewed up 4:20 of game clock in eight plays for a total of 58 yards.  The Oilers did not go away quietly, as they made it 28-16 with 4:58 to go in the game.  Lindenwood was able to maintain possession for the remainder of the game, as the Lions converted on a pair of third downs, including a third-and-14 to secure the 28-16 road victory.
 
In the second half, Brister was 13-for-15 passing with 172 yards and two touchdown passes.  The Lindenwood defense was tough on Saturday, as the Lions held Findlay to just 169 passing yards, a team that averaged 243.7 passing yards through its first three games.  Lindenwood also held Findlay to 185 total yards below its season average.
 
GAME LEADERS
Cade Brister (23-for-28, 253 pass yards, 2 pass TD, 50 rush yards, 1 rush TD)
Robert Giaimo (15 rushes, 105 yards, 1 TD)
Drew Seers (11 tackles, 0.5 TFL)
 
UP NEXT
The Lions will remain on the road to open up GLVC play, as they take on Truman State on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. in Kirksville, Mo.