Lindenwood rallied in their final home game to beat Missouri S&T in overtime, 37-31. In just their first season as members of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, Lindenwood made seemingly easy work of their GLVC schedule. Undefeated in the league, and coming off a big win against NCAA Division II top ten opponent UIndy, the Lions completed their dream campaign with Saturday’s overtime victory.
The game got off to a good start for Lindenwood, forcing S&T quarterback Brennan Simms to fumble on his own 12-yard line on their first drive, and quickly converting for six to give the home team the early advantage. The Lindenwood defense that stifled Uindy in the first half on November 2 looked much more malleable against a perky S&T offense that scored 62 points a week ago, with holes opening up for S&T all over the field. All three of S&T’s first half touchdowns came on the ground in close or in goal-to-go situations.
LU QB Cade Brister’s second touchdown pass was a 17-yard effort made possible by his running back, Nash Sutherlin. Sutherlin made the catch on a short out route, and scampered up the sideline the rest of the way for the touchdown. To help paint how effective each offense was, Lindenwood was forced to punt four times in the first half and committed one turnover, an interception on a ball thrown by Cade Brister. S&T didn’t punt in the first half, but did turn the ball over twice, the early game fumble and an interception in the second quarter.
The Lindenwood defense that gave UIndy fits started to look the part in the second half, as the Miners from Missouri S&T saw holes that were open in the first half close up in the second. Down ten at half, the defense clamping down was critical in Lindenwood coming back in this ballgame, needing to give the ball to Cade Brister and the LU offense to get back ahead. Brister scrambled for not one but two touchdowns in the second half, and rushed for 158 yards on the day, often through the option. The dual threat QB added 187 yards through the air after setting a Lindenwood football record with 531 last week.
Missouri S&T’s best chance to win the football game came with two seconds left in it. The Miners drove downfield but stalled short of the red zone, and kicker Ben Styron just needed to convert a 40-yard field goal to give S&T the win. His attempt was blocked, to the joy of the home sideline. Overtime would have to settle this one.
S&T won the toss for overtime and elected to give Lindenwood the ball. Lindenwood converted a first down and halved the 25-yard overtime field, and then finished with a Cade Brister pass to Glen Gibbons for the touchdown. The extra point was blocked, but it wouldn’t matter, as S&T was stuffed on 4th down on their turn in overtime. Yet again, Lindenwood’s flair for the dramatic and Cade Brister’s confidence under pressure were on display, and yet again, the Lions left the gridiron victorious.
It’s been a great season covering Lindenwood football. While this game will be the last I attend this season, if postseason play is an option for Lindenwood I will be keeping up with those games in some capacity, on Twitter and with reports. I’ve had a blast roaming the sidelines and bleachers of Hunter Stadium this season, and am already looking forward to the 2020 season to see if these Lions can repeat as GLVC champions.