The Lindenwood football team (5-6, 4-3 OVC-Big South) knocked off Eastern Illinois (3-8, 2-6 OVC-Big South) 42-12 on Saturday from Hunter Stadium in St. Charles, Mo.

GAME OVERVIEW
After an opening stop by the Lindenwood defense, the Lions went on an 11-play 88-yard scoring drive, which was capped off by a short touchdown rush by Nate Glantz, giving Lindenwood a 7-0 lead with 4:51 to go in the opening quarter and the Black and Gold would lead by that score after one.

Eastern took up half the second quarter with a drive that was nearly eight minutes, but the Lindenwood defense held strong in the red zone, keeping the Panthers to three and maintaining the lead. The Lions special teams unit provided a big play late in the half as Elijah Thomas got through to block an EIU punt and give Lindenwood the ball at the Panther 18. One play later, Jared Rhodes found the end zone from 18 yards out, growing the lead to 14-3, which would be the score at halftime.

The Panthers forced an early turnover in the second half, but once again the Lindenwood defense held firm, keeping EIU to a field goal that made the score 14-6. The Lions extended the lead to 21-6 with another touchdown run from Rhodes with 3:15 to go in the third. Eastern cut the deficit to nine at 21-12 with 19 seconds left after a big return and a score on the next play. However, the extra point was blocked by Miaka Finau.

Lindenwood's offense found another gear in the fourth quarter. Nate Glantz connected with Jalen Smith on a 27-yard strike, making the score 28-12 less than a minute in. After a defensive stop, the Lions got good field position after a Christopher Bennett Jr. return. Two plays later, Steve Hall ran up the middle for six, giving the Lions a 35-12 lead. A few minutes later, Glantz found Drew Krobath on a 44-yard touchdown, giving the Lions a 42-12 lead in the final frame, which would be the final score on Senior Day.

GAME LEADERS
Jalen Smith (four catches, 101 yards, one TD)
Nate Glantz (13-21, 280 yards, two TD)
Jacob Waller (nine tackles, two TFL, one sack)

UP NEXT
The Lions will close out the season net week at Southeast Missouri State in the Game Bawl Brawl. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.