The Lindenwood football team (0-0) opens the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29, taking on No. 22 University of Kansas (0-0) at 7:00 p.m. from Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. This matchup will mark the first meeting between the two teams and the first FBS opponent Lindenwood will face since making the reclassification to NCAA Division I.
 
The Lions are coming off a 3-7 season in 2023 with two of those wins coming at home. In 2024, the black and gold begin the year with two ranked teams, including Central Arkansas who comes in at No. 13 in the Stats Perform FCS Poll. Overall, Lindenwood has one of the toughest schedules in the Big South-OVC Association.
 
Lindenwood enters year three of the reclassification period and will bring back some key pieces on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Jeff Caldwell looks to build off a strong sophomore campaign where he led the team with 599 yards receiving and eight touchdowns. Robert Giaimo hopes to be a steady force in the backfield after dealing with injuries the past couple of seasons. In 2021, the Bartlett, Tenn. native was the GLVC Freshman of the Year.
 
Defensively, Kobe McClendon returns up front after recording 6.5 sacks a season ago, That number was the fourth-most in a single season in school history. Ethan Stuhlsatz leads the linebacker core into 2024. The native of Wichita, Kan, paced the defense with 70 tackles in 2023. For his efforts, he was tabbed a second team all-conference performer.
 
The 2024 roster will feature 17 transfers, including starting quarterback Nate Glantz who comes to Lindenwood after spending last season at McNeese State. Reece Thomas, who transferred from Kansas will get to face his former team.
 
Kansas is coming off a 9-4 season in 2023, which included a bowl victory.
 
NUMBERS TO KNOW
1 - The Lions will be playing their first game against an FBS opponent since the reclassification to Division I. Lindenwood and Kansas are set to matchup again in 2028

18.7 - Last season, wide receiver Jeff Caldwell averaged 18.7 yards per catch. That number ranked second-best in the Big South-OVC Association. The Louisville, Ky, native finished the 2023 season with 32 catches for 599 yards

7 - The Lindenwood football team had seven players earn preseason recognition by Phil Steele. The black and gold had five players garner first team selections, including Gareth Warren, Ethan Johnson, Jeff Caldwell, Kobe McClendon and Patrick Turner

78 - Offensive Lineman Gareth Warren was selected to the East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 List. The list recognizes the top players from around the country and the 2025 draft class. The Kailua Kona, Hawaii native was also tabbed to the 2025 Reese's Senior Bowl Watch List on August 21

OPENING DRIVE 

• The Lindenwood football team will open the 2024 season against the University of Kansas at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. This marks the first game for the Lions against an FBS opponent since the universities reclassification to the Division I level.
• Head coach Jed Stugart enters his eighth season at the helm of the Lindenwood football program and his 18th overall. Stugart has amassed a record of 36-31 with the Lions. In that time, the black and gold have won nine games twice, while making playoff appearances in 2019 and 2021.
• The Lindenwood coaching staff has a few new faces entering the season. David Flores will coach the offensive line, and Brandon Johnson-Farrell will work with the wide receivers. Flores spent the last eight seasons on the staff at Evangel, and Johnson-Farrell comes to Lindenwood after one year at Eastern Washington
• Kobe McClendon returns up front for the Lions as he enters his junior season. The St. Louis, Mo. native was recognized as the Preseason Defensive Player of the Year by Phil Steele. Last season, McClendon compiled 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. The 6.5 sacks were the fourth most in a single season in school history.
• Ethan Stuhlsatz also returns at Linebacker. The Wichita, Kan. native led the team with 70 tackles last season and was a second team all-conference performer.
• 17 transfers enter the fray in 2024. Starting quarterback Nate Glantz played at McNeese State last season and wide receiver Reece Thomas is a transfer from the University of Kansas.
• The Lions present a veteran offensive line led by seniors Ethan Johnson and Gareth Warren. Johnson has played in 31 games for the Black and Gold, while Warren has appeared in 27.