The Lindenwood football team (0-1) will face its second-consecutive ranked opponent to begin the 2024 season, welcoming No. 9 Central Arkansas (0-1) to Hunter Stadium for a 6:00 p.m. kickoff in St. Charles, Mo.
 
The Lions are coming off a 48-3 loss to No. 22 Kansas last Thursday at Children's Mercy Park. The matchup marked the first meeting between the two teams and the first game against an FBS team for Lindenwood since making the reclassification to Division I.
 
Junior Tight End Abe Haerr was a bright spot against the Jayhawks, hauling in four catches for a team-high 58 yards. The Palmyra, Mo. native had 67 yards receiving all of last season. Haerr was one of three guys on offense who compiled at least four catches on the night, joined by a pair of running backs in Steve Hall and Cortezz Jones.
 
The defense causes two turnovers in the first half, coming from an Ethan Stuhlsatz forced fumble and a Tre Bell interception. The Black and Gold had no such game last season in which they forced multiple turnovers in a game. Stuhlsatz finished the game with eight tackles, tops on the team.
 
Lindenwood has gone 6-4 in its last 10 home openers inside Hunter Stadium, including winning the last two over Wisconsin-Stevens Point and Keiser, respectively. In those pair of victories, the Lions outscored teams 114-12. Overall, Lindenwood has compiled a record of 105-77 at home since the programs first season in 1990.
 
This will be the second meeting between these two teams, with Lindenwood picking up a 52-49 road victory over the Bears during its inaugural Division I season in 2022.
 
The Bears enter the matchup ranked No. 9 in the FCS poll and nearly upset FBS Arkansas State last week. The Lions will be looking for their first win over a ranked team since beating No. 18 Truman State in 2021.

NUMBERS TO KNOW
2 - Lindenwood forced two turnovers last week against Kansas on a Tre Bell interception and a forced fumble by Ethan Stuhlsatz. Last season, the Lions did not have a single game in which they registered multiple takeaways on defense
3 - The Black and Gold are looking to win their third-consecutive home opener after defeating Keiser and Wisconsin-Stevens Point each of the last two seasons
105 - The number of wins the Lions have accumulated inside Hunter Stadium since the programs first season in 1990
2021 - Lindenwood will be looking for its first win over a ranked team since taking down No. 18 Truman State, 31-21 on the road back in 2021

OPENING DRIVE

• The Lindenwood football team (0-1) welcome No. 9 Central Arkansas (0-1) to Hunter Stadium on Saturday evening for its home opener. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
• The Bears and Lions will meet for the second time in the series history. Lindenwood defeated Central Arkansas 52-49 in 2022. Cade Brister ran for five touchdowns and threw for two more in the win.
• In week one, Central Arkansas nearly upset FBS Arkansas State on the road. The Red Wolves scored a last second touchdown to earn the 34-31 win.
• The Lions are coming off a 48-3 loss to No. 22 Kansas last Thursday in Kansas City, Kan. The defense forced two   turnovers in the game, while the offense was led by tight end Abe Haerr who compiled four catches for 58 yards.
• The four catches for 58 yards for Haerr was a career-high. The Palmyra, Mo. native had just three catches for 67 yards all of last season.
• Ethan Stuhlsatz led the team in tackles with nine, while forcing a fumble in the first quarter. Tre Bell picked off a pass in the opening half which was the first interception of his career.
• Nate Glantz made his first start in a Lindenwood uniform. Nine of his 18 completions went to running backs as Steve Hall tallied five catches, while Cortezz Jones hauled in four passes.
• 10 players who appeared in the game last Thursday made their team debut, including four starters on both sides of the ball.