The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) released its 2010 Preseason Football Top 25 Poll this week. As expected, Lindenwood will enter the year ranked second in the nation.
The Lions received three of a possible 14 first-place votes in the poll and had 328 points. The defending national champion, University of Sioux Falls, had 11 first-place votes and six more points than the Lions. Rounding out the top five are Carroll College, Saint Xavier University, and Morningside College.
Among other HAAC schools, MidAmerica Nazarene University was No. 6, Missouri Valley College was No. 10, Baker University was No. 24, and Benedictine College was receiving votes.
Lindenwood reached the national championship game last year for the first time in school history, falling to powerhouse Sioux Falls 25-22. The Lions were led by an offense which scored 744 points, which ranked in the top 10 for all levels in college football history.
Returning from that offense is three of Lindenwood’s top skills players in running back
Denodus O’Bryant, quarterback
Philip Staback, and wide receiver
Matt Bramow. O’Bryant is a preseason national player of the year candidate after setting a school record with 24 touchdowns last year. Staback and Bramow also had record breaking season with Staback throwing 36 touchdowns, including 12 with Bramow as the receiver.
Lindenwood opens the 2010 season with its first ever Thursday night contest on Sept. 2. The Lions will take on Evangel that night with a 6 p.m. kickoff.