The Lindenwood football team (2-2, 1-0 OVC-Big South) picked up a 30-27 win over Stony Brook on Saturday night in the home opener.

GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood opened the game on defense and immediately made a big play as Tajay Passmore forced a fumble on a sack, which set the offense up with good field position. Just two plays later, Nate Glantz connected with Rico Bond from 30 yards out to put the Black and Gold up 7-0 just two minutes into the game. Stony Brook would cut into the lead with a field goal late in the quarter and Lindenwood would lead 7-3 after one.

The Lions capped off a 9-play 90-yard drive to begin the second quarter when Steve Hall found the endzone from a yard out, putting the Lions up 14-3. The Black and Gold kept the offensive momentum going with some big plays from Glantz on the ground. He would keep the ball and run up the middle for 51 yards and score from seven yards out on the next play to put Lindenwood up 21-3 with just over eight minutes to go in the half.

On the next offensive possession, Lindenwood would go on a 10-play 85 yard drive finished off by a 34-yard connection between Glantz and Bond on fourth down, extending the lead to 27-3 just before half.

Stony Brook would make some adjustments at halftime and outscore the Lions 16-0 in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 27-19 after 45 minutes of play.

Each team traded stops to begin the fourth quarter. The Lions' offense found success on the ground in the final frame as Jared Rhodes burst through the defense for a 48-yard run. The drive eventually stalled, but Will Graham knocked home a 31-yard field goal, putting the Lions ahead 30-19 with 6:59 to go in the game. Stony Brook would answer back with a touchdown and a two-point conversion, closing the gap to 30-27. Lindenwood put the game on ice with big third down conversions from Christopher Bennett Jr. and Bond, earning a three-pint win in the home opener.

GAME LEADERS
Rico Bond (eight catches, 119 yards, two touchdowns)
Nate Glantz (20-29, 249 passing yards, 104 rushing yards, one touchdown)
Tajay Passmore (two sacks, one forced fumble)

QUOTABLE 
"We obviously emphasized starting fast all week and the guys really responded and that's what we did," said head coach Jed Stugart. "Although we didn't responded well coming out of half, and gave them some confidence, I'm proud of our guys fight and making the plays needed to close out the game.  Lots of gutsy performances tonight!"

UP NEXT
The Lions will hit the road to take on FBS Miami (OH) Saturday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. CT