The Lindenwood football team (1-3, 1-0 OVC) returns home after a three-game road trip and will play host to Southeast Missouri State (2-3, 0-0 OVC) for the fifth-annual MRV Banks Game Ball Brawl. Kickoff from Steward Field at Hunter Stadium is set for 1:00 p.m.
 
The Black and Gold played their second FBS opponent in a row and fell to Eastern Michigan on the road by a score of 29-3. The Lions held Eastern Michigan to 10 points in the second half and limited them to 153 yards total in the second and fourth quarter. It is the lowest number of points given up by the Lindenwood defense against an FBS opponent since reclassifying to Division I.
 
Lindenwood continues to be effective on the ground after posting 136 rushing yards against Eastern Michigan, the most the Lions have had against an FBS opponent. So far this season, the Black and Gold sit third on the conference in rushing with nearly 145 yards per game. Jared Rhodes led the way with 48 yards, and he currently paces the team with 184 yards and one touchdown through three games.
 
Hoyt Gregory saw his first action in a Lindenwood uniform and was a dual threat, recording 36 rushing yards, while going 8-of-12 through the air for 46 yards. He and Rhodes were one of three Lions with 30 or more yards on the ground in the game along with Robert Giamio who posted 8.3 yards per carry against the Eagles.
 
The only Lindenwood score came off the foot of Will Graham who knocked in a 44-yard field goal. A year ago, his season long was 36, and he has converted from 44 and 50 this season. After making five all of last season, he has already drilled six through four games in 2026.
 
This will be Lindenwood's first home game in 44 days as the Lions look to win their third straight over the Redhawks. The Lions won 24-12 in 2024 when SEMO was ranked No. 6 and picked up a 30-13 road win to conclude last season.
 
Following this game, Lindenwood hits the road to take on Eastern Illinois on October 17.

NUMBERS TO KNOW:
2021: 2021 is the last time the Lions started a season 2-0 after defeating Truman State and Quincy to begin GLVC play. That year, Lindenwood went a perfect 7-0 in the GLVC and made it to the NCAA Division II playoffs.

3: After dropping the first two meetings against SEMO, the Lions will be looking for their third straight win over the Redhawks in hopes of keeping the Game Ball Brawl trophy in St. Charles.

2: Lindenwood will be looking to start a year 2-0 at home for the second consecutive season. A year ago, the Lions won their first two home games with victories over Stony Brook and UT Martin.

4: The Lions' ground game has been effective to start the year as they have posted 100 or more rush yards in all four games to begin the 2026 season. Jared Rhodes leads the way with 184 on the ground followed by Pops Battle with 176.