The Lindenwood football team (2-1, 0-1 BS/OVC) defeat Western Illinois (0-3, 0-1 MVFC) by a score of 43-40 on Saturday night in Macomb, Ill. The Lions outscored the Leathernecks 29-9 in the second half.

GAME OVERVIEW
Western Illinois opened the scoring early in the first quarter, going up 7-0 less than a minute into the game. On Lindenwood's first drive, Robert Giaimo got going on the ground, but the drive stalled after a fourth down stop by the Leathernecks. Western Illinois doubled its lead with another long strike and went up 14-0 with just over nine minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Lions needed just two plays to respond on its next drive, as Cole Dugger found Jeff Caldwell over the middle from 37 yards out, cutting the lead to 14-7. After a Lindenwood turnover, Western Illinois would add a late field goal to lead 17-7 after one quarter.

The Leathernecks extended their lead to 24-7 early in the second frame. Lindenwood responded with a methodical 11-play 75-yard drive, which was capped off by a Giaimo receiving score from seven yards out to make the score 24-14 with 8:40 remaining in the half. Lindenwood's defense bent but didn't break on the ensuing Leathernecks drive as they missed a field goal. However, Western Illinois would capitalize on a turnover to go up 31-14 late in the half and that would be the score after two quarters.

Lindenwood opened the second half with a touchdown when Giaimo Broke through from 17 yards out to cut the deficit to 31-21 early in the third quarter. Lindenwood's defense stood strong once again on the next possession. Western Illinois couldn't handle the snap on a field goal attempt and Devon Edwards was there to make the stop. The Lions capitalized on the offensive end, Dugger found Caldwell for a 40-yard score, making it a one possession game, 31-28 with 3:40 left in the third. We'd head to the fourth with that score.

After a long-sustained drive by the Leathernecks, Lindenwood was able to hold them to three, which made the score 34-28 with just over three minutes gone in the fourth. Once again, the Lions responded with a quick strike, as Dugger and Caldwell hooked up again, this time for a 72-yard touchdown to give Lindenwood a 35-34 lead. Western Illinois responded, taking the lead right back, going up 40-35 with just over five minutes to go in the game. Lindenwood answered the call once again on offense, going on an 11-play 75-yard drive, which ended in another Caldwell score. The Lions got the two-point conversion to go up 43-40 with just over a minute left in the game. The Lions stood strong on defense, getting a stop and sealing the win in comeback fashion.

QUOTABLE
"Last week, we asked our guys how they were going to respond, said head coach Jed Stugart." "I couldn't be more proud of The resiliency they showed tonight down 17 at half.  They believe in and love each other And a team that has that can overcome a lot of things.  We're a young team and they grew up a lot tonight."

GAME LEADERS
Jeff Caldwell (five catches, 185 yards, four touchdowns)
Cole Dugger (16-for-22, 270 yards, five touchdowns, 57 rushing yards)
Robert Giaimo (20 carries, 120 yards, four catches, 29 yards, two total TDs)
Kobe McClendon (three tackles, two TFL's, two sacks)
Devon Edwards (14 tackles, two TFL)

UP NEXT
The Lions will close out a three-game road trip next week at No. 25 Illinois State. Kickoff is set for 12 pm in Normal, Ill.