The Lindenwood football team (0-0, 0-0 OVC) welcomes Charleston Southern (0-0, 0-0 OVC) to Steward Field at Hunter Stadium for an Ohio Valley Conference matchup to begin the 2026 campaign. Kickoff is set for 6:00 p.m.
 
This will be the first time since 2023 in which the Lions will open up at home as that year began with a 77-9 victory over Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Black and Gold had a strong first 30 minutes, scoring 56 points, the most in an opening half in program history. The matchup against CSU also marks the first time since 2018 that the Lions will start the year with a conference opponent. That season kicked off with a game versus Washburn at home when Lindenwood was a member of the MIAA.
 
Lindenwood returns a bunch of weapons on offense but will have a new face leading the attack in 2026. Pops Battle will be making his first career start on Thursday night. The junior signal caller has thrown three passes in his career since joining the program in 2024. He will have a veteran offensive line in front of him as the Lions are bringing back all five starters from a season ago, a group that has compiled 69 career starts.
 
Jalen Smith also returns as a weapon on the outside. The Shiloh, Ill. native had a breakout junior campaign in 2025, hauling in 40 passes for 771 yards and four scores. He averaged 19.3 yards per catch a season ago, which led the conference. As a result, he was tabbed a second team All-Conference selection.
 
During the 2025 season, Lindenwood led the OVC in rushing touchdowns during conference play with 20. A big reason for that was Steve Hall and Jared Rhodes who combined for 14 scores on the ground a year ago. Both went on to earn All-Conference honors as Hall was tabbed to the second team and Rhodes garnered honorable mention recognition.
 
The Lions will be looking for their third-straight win over the Buccaneers. On the road last season, Lindenwood was down 21 points early in the second quarter and went on to outscore CSU 21-7 in the fourth to earn the comeback victory. Jacob Waller had a career-high 17 tackles in the contest.

NUMBERS TO KNOW:
30: The Lions scored 30 points or more in all six wins last season, including a season-high 42 against Eastern Illinois in week 11. Lindenwood averaged 24.8 points per game in 2025, the third highest total in the Ohio Valley Conference.

4: Lindenwood has struggled during home openers, winning only four over the last 10 seasons. The Black and Gold will be looking for their first home opening victory since the 2023 season in what was a 77-9 win over Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

14: A year ago, the Lindenwood defense forced 14 fumbles, which was the second most in the conference, behind Charleston Southern. Nine of those were recovered by the Lions, which helped make up for a league low three interceptions.

3: The Lions earned some respect in the preseason poll, being selected third behind UT Martin and SEMO. Lindenwood earned 37 points in the poll and one first place vote. The third spot is the highest they have ever been picked in the OVC.