The Lindenwood football team (1-1, 1-0 OVC) heads to Springfield, Mo. for an in-state battle with FBS Missouri State (0-1, 0-0 CUSA) on Saturday. Kickoff from Robert W. Plaster Stadium is set for 6:00 p.m.
 
The Lions are coming off a tough 36-32 loss at Stony Brook last Thursday. The Lions led 22-7 at halftime, but the Seawolves stormed back in the second half, including scoring 19 points in the fourth quarter to earn the win and hand the Lions their first loss of the season. Through two games this season, the Black and Gold have been outscored 33-10 in the final frame.
 
Offensively, the ground game continues to be effective as the Lions are second in the Ohio Valley Conference in rushing yards per game (162.5) and rushing touchdowns (4). Three of those rushing scores have come from Pops Battle, which ties him for the OVC lead. He nearly leads the team in rushing with 113 yards on the ground this season. Despite not having a passing touchdown so far this season, Battle has gone 33-for-49, completing 67 percent of his passes and compiling 351 yards through the air
 
Drew Krobath and Jalen Smith led the ariel attack as both wideouts had 80 or more receiving yards Thursday night. Both receivers have 100+ yards through two games, while averaging more than 14 yards per reception. So far this season, Lindenwood has three wide receivers, three running backs, and two tight ends with a reception.
 
Lindenwood has had some early red zone struggles, generating one touchdown on five visits. Despite that, Will Graham has had a strong start to his season. After making five field goals all of last season, the senior kicker has drilled five already in 2026. He converted all three attempts against the Seawolves, including a career-long 50 yarder, surpassing his previous long of 36. As a result, he was tabbed OVC Specialist of the Week.
 
The game against Missouri State is the first of two FBS opponents on Lindenwood's schedule this season as the Lions will also play Eastern Michigan on September 26 following a bye week. The Black and Gold have not beaten an FBS team in their short Division I history but came close last season in a 20-13 loss to Appalachian State.

NUMBERS TO KNOW:
4: This will be the fourth FBS team that Lindenwood has played since moving to the Division I level. They have played Kansas, Appalachian State, Miami (OH), and now Missouri State. The future schedule includes Minnesota, Kansas, and Oklahoma State

6: The Lions have six sacks already this season. It took the Lions six games in 2025 to reach that number. King Smith leads the way with 2.5 sacks, followed by Mason Burke with 2.0. Burke also has a team-high three tackles for loss

32:30: So far this season, Lindenwood averages 32:30 time of possession and has won the possession battle in both games so far this season. They have run the ball 83 times compared to just 49 passes

150: The Lions have totalled 150 or more rush yards in both games this season. In game one, they had 170, followed by 155 last week against Stony Brook. Their 325 yards on the ground is second most in the conference