The Lindenwood football team won a double-overtime thriller against Eastern Illinois to earn its first win against an Ohio Valley Conference foe in program history.

The Lions earned their fourth win of the season after pulling off a 37-34 victory that was led by an explosive second-half offense.

The game began with a slow pace, and Eastern Illinois got on the board first with a goal-line touchdown run from running back Jonah O’Brien. Lindenwood responded in the second quarter with a rushing touchdown of its own from Justin Williams. After an Eastern Illinois field goal to take a three-point lead, quarterback Cade Brister found Abe Haerr in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown reception to end the half.

The Panthers responded with the lone touchdown in the third quarter to take a 17-14 lead. Lindenwood kicker Logan Siebert knotted the game at 17 with a 27-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. Later in the quarter, Brister fumbled the ball on a sack, and it was picked up by the Panther defense and returned for a touchdown.

Lindenwood would not go away though. Brister was able to lead the Lions on a drive down the field that he capped off with a 1-yard touchdown run to tie the game with three minutes remaining. Overtime would follow.

Lindenwood got the scoring started quickly in overtime when Brister was able to connect with Payton Rose from two yards out. Eastern Illinois responded with a quick rushing touchdown to tie the game up. The Panthers had to settle for a field goal on their next drive giving Lindenwood a chance to win the game. On the final drive, Brister threw a 9-yard touchdown strike to Kobe Smith to give Lindenwood a 37-34 victory.

Lindenwood had a total of 501 total yards in the game. Brister was responsible for nearly 400 of them after recording 302 passing yards and 79 rushings.

The Lions move to 4-2 on the season and look to next week when they will be back at home for their homecoming game against Murray State.