The Lindenwood football team (2-4, 1-1 BS/OVC) came up just short, falling to Tennessee State (4-2, 2-1 BS/OVC) by a score of 24-20 on Saturday from Hunter Stadium.

GAME OVERVIEW
After opening the game with a defensive stop, Lindenwood needed just three plays to find the endzone on its first offensive possession. Two big runs by Steve Hall set up a shot to Jeff Caldwell down the middle of the field and the junior wideout made an acrobatic catch to put the Lions up 7-0 less than two minutes into the game. On the next TSU drive, the Lions forced a long third down. On the play, the pass was deflected by Jonah Rubadue right into the arms of Frank Caldwell who returned it for a touchdown to put the Black and Gold up 14-0 less than four minutes into the game.

Tennessee State would answer back with an 11-play-75-yard drive to cut the deficit to 14-7 just passed the halfway point of the opening quarter. The Lions would take that lead into the second.

The Tigers continued their drive to begin the middle frame but missed a 20-yard field goal off the right upright as the score remained 14-7. Lindenwood used the ground game to get the offense going again but had to settle for a Logan Seibert 23-yard field goal to make the score 17-7 with 6:04 remaining in the half. Seibert would make another short field goal as time expired to put Lindenwood up 20-7 at the break.

Each team got a few stops to begin the third quarter, but TSU eventually found a big play, connecting on a touchdown from 74-yards out, moving the score to 20-14 with 7:59 to go in the third. Tennessee State added three more points near the end of the quarter as the score was 20-17 heading to the fourth.

In the final frame, the Tigers grabbed a 24-20 lead just past the halfway point of the quarter. The two defenses went back-and fourth throughout the quarter which included a big stop by TSU with just over two minutes to go as Caldwell was tackled short of the first down by a yard on 4^th and 11. Lindenwood's defense would make one more stop, giving the ball back to the offense with 56 seconds remaining. Lindenwood was unable to put a drive together, however, and fell short 24-20.

GAME LEADERS
Jeff Caldwell (three catches, 45 yards, 1 TD)
Kobe McClendon (two tackles, two sacks)
Steve Hall (7 carries, 67 yards)

UP NEXT
Lindenwood welcomes Charleston Southern next Saturday for another Association matchup. Kickoff from Hunter Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.