SCOTT MANDZIARA | Sports Editor

The Lindenwood Lions football team is back at home this Saturday as it takes on the Emporia State (3-3) Hornets at 1 p.m. at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium.

This is Lindenwood’s Homecoming game, and The Lions have a record of 2-4 after falling to the top scoring team in the MIAA, Missouri Western, 40-7 last week.

In games this season where the Lions have scored fewer than 20 points, they have bounced back the following week. In week one the Lions scored 14 points against the University of Central Oklahoma, followed up by a 49-point game against Northeastern State. The following week, the Lions were held to 16 points against Washburn, then scored 49 points on the road against Pittsburg State.   

This season at home, Lindenwood is averaging 33 points per game and holding opponents to 21 points. 

In the MIAA, Emporia State currently ranks sixth place, and the Lions rank eighth. The Hornets are 1-2 on the road this year, with their only road win being against Missouri Southern State (0-6).

Emporia State is another high-scoring offense as the team ranks third in the MIAA, averaging nearly 35 points per game. Most of that offense comes through the air as the Hornets average 320 passing yards per game and have only thrown one interception all season. Two of the top five wide receivers in the MIAA play for Emporia, both averaging 77 receiving yards per game. Lindenwood ranks second in the MIAA in passing defense, only allowing 170 passing yards per game, according to the MIAA website.

It’s worth noting that Emporia State is the highest penalized team in the MIAA, committing 83 yards worth of penalties per game, according to the MIAA website.

Lindenwood has never defeated Emporia State, as the Hornets lead the series 5-0.