The Lindenwood football team (1-4, 1-1 OVC) hits the road for an Ohio Valley Conference matchup with Eastern Illinois (2-4, 1-0 OVC). Kickoff from O'Brien Field in Charleston, Ill. is set for 2:00 p.m.
 
Lindenwood is coming off a 38-27 loss in the GameBall Brawl to Southeast Missouri State. Lindenwood was effective on the ground in the first half, running for 189 yards on 21 carries, but were limited to just nine total rushing yards in the second half. Pops Battle, Jared Rhodes, and Steve Hall each found the end zone against the Redhawks as the Lions had three rushing scores in a game for the second time this season while averaging 6.6 yards per carry.
 
The Lions are one of three teams to have multiple players with 200 or more rushing yards this season with Rhodes at 251, followed by Battle at 231. The Black and Gold rank third in the OVC in rushing yards per game (155.4) and yards per carry (4.3). They have eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark in every game this season.
 
In the third quarter with SEMO at the one-yard line, Brayon Crawford picked up a loose fumble and returned it 86 yards for the score to tie the game. It is Lindenwood's first fumble recovery touchdown since 2022 when Tayvian Weary did it against William Jewell. Before that, it was Bakari Triggs in 2016 against Missouri Southern.
 
Lindenwood will be looking for their third-straight win over the Panthers on Saturday after defeating them 42-12 in 2025, and 28-25 in 2024. In the game last season, the Lions 200 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, including two scores from Rhodes. However, the Black and Gold have struggled on the road this year and will be looking for their first win away from home.
 
After this game, Lindenwood will return home for two consecutive home games. First, hosting Chicago State on October 24 for homecoming, followed by Tennessee State on October 31 on Halloween.

NUMBERS TO KNOW:
40: Lindenwood had two 40-yard touchdown runs against Southeast Missouri State on Saturday. It is the first time that happened in a game since 2024 when Steve Hall had a 93- and 75-yard score in a win over Western Illinois.

380: This was the highest total offense output for the Lions this season. 198 of those yards came on the ground which was also the highest total of 2026. The Lions averaged 6.6 yards per carry against the Redhawks.

878: Pops Battle has been a true dual threat quarterback so far this season, throwing for 647 yards while rushing for 231 more. He has 878 yards of total offense so far this season, good for nearly 176 per game, which ranks fifth in the conference.

35.7: In three wins over the Panthers in the series history, the Lions have averaged 35.7 points per game. In two of those wins Lindenwood has had 35 or more, including last seasons win when they had 42.