The Lindenwood football team (3-5, 2-2 BS/OVC) fell short at Gardner-Webb (2-5, 1-2 BS/OVC) by a score of 42-35 on Saturday afternoon in Boiling Springs, N.C.
GAME OVERVIEW
Gardner-Webb scored on the opening possession of the game to go up 7-0. Lindenwood would respond on its first drive, as Nate Glantz connected with Reece Thomas on a 21-yard touchdown strike over the middle to tie the game 7-7 with just over three minutes to go in the first. That would be the score after 15 minutes of play.
The Runnin’ Bulldogs retook the lead early in the second, making the score 14-7. The Lions would respond once again with the help of a big run by Cortezz Jones and a 44-yard catch by Jeff Caldwell to open the drive. Jones would eventually find the endzone for the sixth time this season, tying the game at 14 apiece. It was GWU’s turn to answer back, and they did, regaining the lead at 21-14, halfway through the middle frame. On the next possession, Lindenwood was putting a drive together, but Gardner-Webb came up with an interception in the endzone to keep the lead. Gardner-Webb scored late in the quarter to take a 28-14 lead into halftime.
Coming out of the locker room, the Lions made an effort to get the ball to Jeff Caldwell. The junior wideout made three catches for 92 yards on the first drive of the second half, including a 49-yard touchdown grab, which pulled Lindenwood within one score at 28-21. Gardner-Webb responded quickly and went up 35-21with just under 10 minutes to go in the third. The Runnin Bulldogs extended their lead to 42-21 with just under three minutes to play in the frame. After three quarters, Lindenwood trailed by that score.
The Lions capped off a six play-75-yard drive to begin the fourth quarter as Steve Hall found the endzone from 17 yards out, making the score 42-28. The Black and Gold got a defensive stop on the next possession after GWU missed a field goal. Lindenwood was unable to capitalize, however. The Lions made one last push late in the fourth when Drew Krobath hauled in a 23-yard touchdown catch with 31 seconds remaining to pull within seven at 42-35. The Lions were unable to recover the ensuing onside kick and would fall by that score.
GAME LEADERS
Jeff Caldwell (six catches, 174 yards, 1 TD)
Steve Hall (11 carries, 78 yards, 1 TD, 16 receiving yards)
Vincent King (15 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 OBH)
QUOTABLE
“I appreciated our fight in our guys all the way to the end but unfortunately that’s not enough,” said head coach Jed Stugart. “We must have consistency in our execution week in and week out in all phases of our team.  I don’t believe we matched their intensity at the start of this game and these are tough ones to dig out of if you don’t get a good start.”
UP NEXT
Lindenwood hosts Western Illinois next week for homecoming in St. Charles, Mo. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
