The Lindenwood football team (1-2, 1-0 OVC) returns to the field on Saturday, taking on FBS Eastern Michigan (1-3, 0-0 MAC) on Saturday in Ypsilanti, Mich., which will conclude a three-game road swing. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. CT.
 
This will be the second straight FBS team that the Lions have played after falling on the road at Missouri State two weeks ago, 48-14. In that game, Pops Battle threw the first two touchdown passes of his career, one to Drew Krobath and the other to Elijah Roy. Roy entered the game with six catches in his career and finished the day with four grabs for 72 yards and one touchdown, the first of his career. As a result, he earned OVC Rookie of the Week honors.
 
Battle has been effective both through the air and on the ground so far this season, posting five total touchdowns, two rushing and three passing. The East St. Louis product is one of three FCS quarterbacks to lead his team in both rushing and passing so far this season as he has posted 456 yards through the air and 176 yards on the ground.  His 4.8 yards per carry ranks ninth in the conference.
 
The Lions have leaned heavily on the ground game in 2026 with the help of Battle. Lindenwood has accumulated 117 rushing attempts on the ground, compared to just 69 passes. Battle leads the way with 37 attempts, followed by Jared Rhodes with 36. The Black and Gold have amassed 100 or more yards on the ground in each game this year.
 
So far this season, the wealth has been spread around amongst Lindenwood receivers as Krobath, Roy, and Jalen Smith have recorded 100 or more receiving yards through three games. Smith and Roy each have 10 catches, while Krobath has eight. Smith leads the team with 137 receiving yards.
 
Following this game, Lindenwood will have another week off before finally returning home for the first time since August 27. The Lions will host Southeast Missouri State for the fifth annual Game Ball Brawl presented by MRV Banks on Saturday, October 10 at 1:00 p.m., in St. Charles, Mo.

NUMBERS TO KNOW
32: Elijah Roy's first career touchdown catch came from 32 yards out in the fourth quarter against Missouri State. He finished the game with 72 total yards on four catches, which led the receiving corps

44.5: Connor Lander had a strong day flipping the field against the Bears as he averaged 44.5 yards on six kicks. He had a career-long boot of 59 yards in the game and sits fourth in the conference with a 41.7 average per kick

2: This will be the second and final FBS game on Lindenwood's schedule this season and the first time they have played back-to-back FBS opponents since reclassifying to Division I. The Lions will be looking for their first win over an FBS team on Saturday

100: The Lions have rushed for 100 or more yards on the ground in all three games this season after 118 more against Missouri State. Battle leads the Lions in yards on the ground with 176