The Lindenwood football team (0-2) dropped its home opener to No. 9 Central Arkansas (1-1) by a score of 34-13 on Saturday night from Hunter Stadium.

GAME OVERVIEW
The two teams were locked in a defensive battle to start the game. Central Arkansas missed a 35-yard field goal at the 7:52 mark to keep the game scoreless. After a Jayden Patrick sack forced a three-and out by the Bears a few minutes later, Lindenwood went on an eight-play 64 yard drive set up by a 40 yard reception from Jeff Caldwell. The scoring drive was capped off by a Logan Seibert 32-yard field goal which gave Lindenwood a 3-0 lead and it took into the second quarter.

UCA took the lead with a scoring drive early in the second quarter, but failed on the two-point conversion, making the score 6-3. The Bears would add another touchdown late in the middle frame and take a 13-3 advantage into halftime.

Lindenwood forced a quick three-and-out to begin the second half. On the ensuing drive, the Lions rode running back Steve Hall who compiled 50 yards on the drive, but unfortunately, the Black and Gold could not find the end zone and had to settle for another field goal, moving the score to 13-6. With the kick, Seibert moved into a tie for fifth on the programs all-time scoring list. The Bears answered right back with a quick score of their own, going up by two scores at 20-6 with 6:32 remaining in the third. That would be the score heading to the final frame.

UCA struck quickly in the fourth, going up 27-6 with 13:43 to go. Lindenwood was able to get within two scores as Nate Glantz found Reece Thomas for a four-yard strike, cutting the deficit to 27-13 with just over seven minutes on the clock. The Bears answered once again with a late score and would pick up the 34-13 victory.

GAME LEADERS
Devon Edwards (12 tackles)
Ethan Stuhlsatz (11 tackles, 1 FF, 1TFL)
Jeff Caldwell (six catches, 99 yards)

QUOTABLE
" It's a frustrating loss tonight," said head coach Jed Stugart. "I feel like we are actually in a position that we are better than what we looked out there. I want us to have that mindset that we belong on the field with teams like that. We saw flashes of what we can do and it comes down to consistent football."

UP NEXT
The Lions travel to Springfield, Mo. for a matchup with Missouri State next Saturday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.