Lindenwood football dropped their second consecutive game to start the 2024 season, this time falling to the University of Central Arkansas by a score of 34-13.
The first quarter proved to be a defensive battle, as only three points were scored throughout the first 15 minutes of play. Both teams recorded a sack, with Lions quarterback Nate Glantz being taken down on the first drive of the game by David Walker. The Lions’ Jayden Patrick recorded a sack of his own later in the quarter, bringing down Bears quarterback Will McElvain.
On the Lions’ first scoring drive, Glantz found Jeff Caldwell open for a 40-yard reception, the longest of the quarter. After an 11-yard gain from running back Cortezz Jones, kicker Logan Seibert was set up with a 32-yard field goal, which he made successfully. The quarter ended shortly after with the Lions up 3-0.
In the second quarter, the Lions began to falter. Their defense allowed 13 points, and their offense could not answer. Glantz was able to find Caldwell for another 25-yard gain in the quarter, but the offense was relatively quiet outside of that play. Both of the Bears touchdowns came from running back ShunDerrick Powell. In the first five minutes of the quarter, Powell had a short four-yard run to score. With under four minutes left in the quarter, Powell again had the ball, this time for a 55-yard run to score for the second time in the quarter, making the score 13-0 after a missed point after attempt.
After halftime, the Lions would again score by way of a field goal. After a lengthy five-minute drive, highlighted by a 33-yard Steve Hall run, Seibert drained another field goal, a 20-yarder, making the score 13-6. The Bears would respond almost instantly, however, with Powell scoring his third touchdown of the game with seven minutes left in the quarter.. Unlike his previous two, Powell scored on a passing play, resulting in a 69-yard gain, making the score 20-6.
In the opening minutes of the final quarter of play, the Bears continued their momentum in the running game, scoring yet another rushing touchdown. Darius Hale found the end zone on a one-yard run two minutes into the quarter to make the score 27-6. However, Lindenwood was able to respond in their next drive. After a few Central Arkansas penalties, and multiple completed short passes to Caldwell, the Lions found themselves in the end zone. With just over seven minutes left in the game, Glantz found Reece Thomas open for a four-yard touchdown, making the score 27-13. This touchdown, however, would conclude scoring for Lindenwood in the game. The Bears were able to score another rushing touchdown in the final minutes, as Hale ran a three-yard return into the end zone to make the score 34-13.
Lindenwood did reach the end zone one final time in the game, thanks to a 19-yard gain on a reception by Thomas. However, after a handful of incomplete passes in the red zone, the team turned the ball over on downs, effectively ending the game.
Overall, Glantz threw for 182 yards in the game, 99 of which were to Caldwell. Drew Krobath was able to pick up 32 yards in the air on three receptions, and Thomas gained 29 on three of his own catches. Lindenwood running backs gained 111 yards on the ground, highlighted by Hall, who had 62 total yards. Jones had 36 of his own, good for 6.8 yards per run on average, leading the team in that regard.
Defensively, Devon Edwards led the Lions in tackles, Ethan Stuhlsatz forced a fumble, and Patrick had a blocked field goal in addition to his first-quarter sack.
The Lions now head to Springfield, Missouri next Saturday to play Missouri State University. The team will return home the following Saturday, Sept. 21, to play the University of St. Thomas. Kickoff for that game is slated for 1 p.m., and the game will act as the teams annual Family Day.
