complete game notes in .pdf format
Storyline
The Lindenwood football team has its home opener this Saturday evening at 6 p.m. in Hunter Stadium. The Lions will return home after picking up the biggest regular season win in program history at NCAA Division I Northern Colorado.
Lindenwood dominated the stats against the Bears but found itself trailing with just over one minute remaining. Two big plays by Andrew Helmick helped set up a field goal from James Neal, which gave the Lions a 22-20 victory.
The Lions were led to victory by a strong effort from their defensive unit. After giving up a touchdown on the first drive of the game, Lindenwood allowed just one short touchdown drive and two field goals the rest of the game. Northern Colorado was just four-of-16 on third-down conversions, including missing 11 straight at one point.
John Uribe had a good first game as Lindenwood quarterback, throwing for 294 yards and one touchdown. Playmakers Denodus O'Bryant and Helmick combined for 349 all-purpose yards.
This week's opponent is former NAIA conference opponent Graceland. Lindenwood has won seven straight against the Yellowjackets, including a 77-33 victory last season. Graceland is 0-1 on the year after losing its season opener by a 35-10 score at Culver-Stockton.
A Lindenwood Win Would...
- improve the program to 120-113-2 all-time.
- improve the Lions to 68-19 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- be the seventh straight victory for Lindenwood over Gracleand.
- be the ninth straight win during its home opener and improve the team to 16-6 all-time on home openers.
- be the 22nd straight regular season home victory for the Lions.
A Lindenwood Loss Would...
- drop the program to 119-114-2 all-time.
- drop the Lions to 67-20 under head coach Patrick Ross.
- be the first loss to Graceland at Hunter Stadium.
- be Graceland's fourth win in 16 all-time contest against the Lions.
Third-Down Defense
Last season, Lindenwood was in the bottom half of the NAIA in opponent third-down conversion, allowing a 39.1 percent success rate. In the win over Northern Colorado, the Lions improved in that category, holding the Bears to just four-of-16 on third downs.
Lindenwood put Northern Colorado into third-and-long (five or more yards) eight times and the Bears converted just one of those attempts. Northern Colorado was also just zero-of-three on third down plays of one or two yards, including no yards gained on the two running plays it tried in that situation.
Both of Lindenwood's sacks during the game came on third-down plays.
Time of Possession
Another improvement last Saturday came in time of possession. In the previous two seasons, Lindenwood won the time of possession just once in 25 games. Against Northern Colorado, Lindenwood won the time of possession battle by nearly 10 minutes.
Tackling Leaders
Linebackers Tyler Epstein and Brock Reed both set personal single-game bests in tackles against Northern Colorado. Epstein led the team with 10 tackles, including one tackle for loss. Reed had nine total tackles, including a sack.
Last year's leading tackler, linebacker Chris Howard, had eight stops. Other leaders in that category last weekend were seven each for cornerback Donald Collier and defensive back Cody Fogle.
Playmakers
Lindenwood's top two playmakers did not disappoint as running back Denodus O'Bryant and wide receiver Andrew Helmick combined for 349 all-purpose yards.
O'Bryant had the biggest offensive play of the day with a 71-yard touchdown reception. He finished with 65 rushing yards, 97 receiving yards, and 14 kickoff return yards.
Helmick made two big plays on the team's final drive with a long kickoff return and an acrobatic catch on the two-yard line. He finished with 77 receiving yards and 99 kickoff return yards.
Uribe's Debut
John Uribe had a successful debut as the starting quarterback. He completed 75 percent of his passes for 294 yards and one touchdown.
Uribe especially found his stride in the second half when he was 18-of-22 for 200 yards. He completed all five passes he attempted in the team's final drive which set up the game-winning field goal.
Game-Winning Kick
James Neal made the biggest kick of his Lindenwood career on Saturday as his 21-yarder gave Lindenwood a two-point victory as time expired. The made field goal was his third of the game, which tied a career-high.
Neal is now 11-of-12 on field goal attempts during his Lindenwood career. He has made nine straight field goals, including seven in the last three games he has appeared in.
Players of the Week
The team players of the week for the Northern Colorado game were Chance Iott on offense, Malach Radigan on defense, and James Neal on special teams.
Brian Winters won the team's Living the D.R.E.A.M. award. That acronym stands for dedication, responsibility, enthusiasm, attitude, and motivation. The award goes to the player who exemplifies those qualities on the practice and game field, around campus, inside the dorm, and in the classroom.
First Game As Lions
Several other Lindenwood players besides John Uribe made big impacts in their first game in a Lion uniform.
Defensively, the front line was bolstered by defensive ends Joe Day and Sean Gracy. Day finished with five tackles and 0.5 sacks. Gracy had one tackle, one pass breakup, and one quarterback hurry. Defensive back Christian Golder also had five tackles.
Offensively, Therman McGowan had 13 carries for a team-high 73 yards. He also scored the team's lone rushing touchdown. Alex Robinson was second among wide receivers with 75 receiving yards.
Offensive Line Play
One of the biggest question marks for Lindenwood heading into the season was the offensive line. The unit held its own against Northern Colorado, as it opened up holes for 131 rushing yards and protected the quarterbacks for 316 passing yards.
300-Yard Defensive Mark
Lindenwood held Northern Colorado under 300 yards of total offense. It marked the 14th straight time that the Lions have won after holding opponents below 300 total offensive yards.
Forcing Punts
Lindenwood's defense forced nine punts last Saturday. It was the most punts forced by the team since it forced nine against William Jewell in 2009.
Home Openers vs. GU
Lindenwood has faced Graceland once in its home opener. In 2004, the Lions defeated Graceland by a 56-12 score.
About the Yellowjackets
Graceland will come to St. Charles with a 0-1 record on the season after a 35-10 setback at Culver-Stockton last weekend. The Yellowjackets led 10-5 at halftime, but a fumble recovery touchdown by the Wildcats turned the tide. Culver-Stockton scored 23 more points the rest of the way for a 25-point victory.
Matt Fink threw for 143 yards in the opener for Graceland. He did not throw an interception but was sacked six times.
Reggie Ramey rushed for 77 yards and a touchdown and Rodrick Smith had 55 rushing yards. Ricardo Johnson caught three passes for 50 yards and Greg Corder had three receptions for 42 yards.
Defensively, Eric Escamilla and David Edmondson each had eight tackles. Escamilla had an interception, and Edmondson had 2.5 tackles for loss. Nate Collier also had an interception, and William Fisher-Sims had a fumble recovery.
Head Coach Jeff Douglas
Jeff Douglas is in his second season as the head coach of the Yellowjackets. He has a mark of 1-10 at the school. Douglas was an All-American at Graceland, and served as an assistant coach at the school before being promoted to the head spot.
GU's Road Woes
Graceland has lost seven straight road games, dating back to the 2009 season. All seven losses have been by at least 10 points, and the average deficit is 22.3 points.
Up Next
Lindenwood will have its second straight home game on Sept. 17 with a 6 p.m. contest against St. Joseph's (Ind.).
NCAA II Transition
Lindenwood is in its second year of NCAA Division II candidacy in 2011-12. The school has dropped its NAIA membership and is an independent.
In 2012-13, Lindenwood hopes to enter a provisional year in the NCAA. The Lions will join the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association that season.
In 2013-14, assuming all expectations have been met, the NCAA will vote to make Lindenwood a full member.
