The Lindenwood football team (5-6, 4-3 BS/OVC) picked up a huge 24-12 win over No. 6 Southeast Missouri State (8-2, 5-1 BS/OVC) and reclaimed the Game Ball Brawl trophy on Saturday afternoon from Hunter Stadium
GAME OVERVIEW
The Lindenwood defense set the tone for the day early, as Jordan Knapke forced a fumble on the second play of the game, which gave Lindenwood good field position. The Lions were unable to capitalize, however, as the score remained 0-0. Both teams continued to feel each other out in the wet conditions with the game being scoreless after one quarter.
SEMO capped off a 7-play 44-yard drive with a field goal to begin the second quarter to put them up 3-0 with just over 13 minutes to go in the frame. The Lindenwood defense continued to be stout, which allowed the Lions to hang around. Nate Glantz would find Jeff Caldwell for a 45-yard completion, which got the Black and Gold moving just past the halfway point of the frame. On a big third and six, Glantz would connect with Drew Krobath from 20 yards out, giving Lindenwood a 7-3 lead at the 5:55 mark. The Redhawks would answer back with a field goal, cutting the deficit to 7-6 with just over three minutes to go in the quarter.
Now it was Lindenwood’s time to respond and they did with an 8-play 75-yard drive. Caldwell took a pop pass from Glantz who scored with 13 seconds left to put the Lions up 14-6 at the half.
Each team shared stops to begin the third quarter. The Lions extended its lead to 21-6 with 7:20 to play in the frame after Glantz used his legs to rush in from 27-yards out. SEMO’s defense made a big play to get the ball back later in the quarter and the offense took advantage, cutting the score to 21-12. The two-point conversion was no good, keeping the deficit at nine with five minutes to play in the quarter and that would be the score heading to the fourth.
In the fourth, Lindenwood was able to chew up the clock, having the ball for 11 minutes. The Lions added a field goal in the frame with Logan Seibert converting from 32. The defense made one more big play to seal the win as Eric Gant picked off Paxton DeLaurent with 1:49 to go. The Lions saw the clock out and picked up its first win over a top-10 team at the FCS level.
GAME LEADERS
Nate Glantz (13-for-20, 183 yards, two touchdowns, 38 rushing yards, one touchdown)
Jeff Caldwell (six catches for 99 yards)
Taylen Blaylock  (three tackles, two pass breakups)
QUOTABLE
“I have so many emotions going through my head right now,” said head coach Jed Stugart. This is a huge win, and we’ve said all along that this isn’t a rivalry until we win one. We played with confidence and hats off to our defense and Coach Inama for their effort today.”
UP NEXT
The Lions will have a bye week and return to the field on Saturday, November 23 in a matchup against UT Martin on the road. Kickoff is set for 2:00 p.m.
