The Lindenwood football team (5-4, 4-1 OVC) picked up its fourth straight win after defeating Gardner-Webb (3-7, 2-3 OVC) by a score of 34-21 on Saturday afternoon in Boiling Springs, N.C.
GAME OVERVIEW
Lindenwood opened the game with a 10-play, 75-yard drive that was capped off by a connection between
Pops Battle and
Elijah Roy, which put the Lions up 7-0 with 10:55 to play in the first. After a Gardner-Webb three-and-out, the Runnin' Bulldogs defense forced a strip sack, which set them up in Lindenwood territory. GWU took advantage, finding the end zone, but missed the extra point, and the Lions remained in front, 7-6.
The Lions put another solid drive together midway through the first quarter, but missed a field goal, and the score remained 7-6 after one.
Early in the second quarter, Lindenwood stalled in the red zone and had to settle for a 21-yard field goal from
Will Graham, growing the lead to 10-6. Gardner-Webb answered with a field goal of its own later in the frame, cutting the deficit to 10-9 with 6:16 to play. Near the end of the quarter, the Lions jumped on a muffed punt, earning good field position and took advantage. Battle would use his legs, scoring up the middle from 11 yards out, extending the lead to 17-9 at halftime.
In the third quarter, Lindenwood jumped on another GWU muffed punt and got the ball inside the red zone. However, they had to settle for another field goal from Graham, making the score 20-9 with 7:23 to play. Gardner-Webb scored before the end of the frame, cutting the deficit to 20-15 after three.
A 38-yard strike from Battle to
Drew Krobath to begin the fourth grew the lead to 27-15. On the next GWU possession,
DeVonta Owens picked off a pass, which gave the Lions good field position. Two plays later,
Jared Rhodes found pay dirt, making the score 34-15. The Runnin' Bulldogs scored late to cut into the lead but couldn't get any closer as the Lions earned a 34-21 win, their fourth straight victory.
GAME LEADERS
Pops Battle (177 total yards, three touchdowns)
Jared Rhodes (16 carries, 58 yards, one touchdown)
Drew Krobath (two catches, 56 yards, one touchdown)
QUOTABLE
"We played 3 levels of complementary football," said head coach
Jed Stugart. "I love to watch our guys have each other's back. We have a one play at a time mentality, and that has paid great dividends the last few weeks. Great one to enjoy on the flight back, and excited to get to work this upcoming week. Â
UP NEXT
The Lions will remain on the road and take on UT Martin next Saturday, November 14 in Martin, Tenn. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.Â
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