The Lindenwood Lions will host their annual Homecoming Game, Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles. (Photo: Steven Delia)
Lindenwood Football – Gameday Info
Game No. 1 – Quincy University (3-2) at Lindenwood University (3-2)
Date/Time – Saturday, October 9 – 1 pm
Location – Harlen C. Hunter Stadium – St. Charles, MO
Broadcast – GLVC Sports Network
Live Stats – Sidearm Stats
by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
Fresh off its dominating upset win over then-No. 18 ranked Truman State, the Lindenwood University football team is back home at Hunter Stadium to celebrate Homecoming this weekend, with another big Great Lakes Valley Conference game against Quincy University.
Both teams are 1-0 in GLVC play and with a win on Saturday, would grab an early hold on first place in the league standings. Lindenwood’s win over Truman put them in an especially ideal place if they could win Saturday. The Lions would then have two wins in two tries over two of the GLVC’s best teams.
Players to Watch: Coming into the season, Lindenwood expected its top two offensive players to be quarterback Cade Brister and running back Nash Sutherlin. And why not? Both have been fantastic players in their time at Lindenwood.
But recently, a new star has emerged, in freshman running back Robert Giaimo, who made his first start last week, and rumbled through Truman’s defense for 108 yards on 21 carries and three touchdowns. He also caught five passes for 48 yards to finish the day with a game-high 156 total yards.
Sutherlin was just finding his own rhythm, after a couple of slow games to begin the season, when he got injured late in Week 4 against Findlay. Giaimo took over and completely re-energized the Lindenwood running game, which has helped the Lions win three games in a row.
Giaimo had 105 yards and a touchdown coming off the bench against Findlay. Then, followed that up with the big game last week. Lindenwood will definitely be counting on Giaimo to have another big day against a Quincy defense that has struggled some this season and ranks last in the conference in total defense and yards allowed per game (514.6).
Quincy is led by its dual threat sophomore quarterback Tionne Harris, a native St. Louisan, who attended Vianney High School. Harris is second in the GLVC in passing yards (985) and passing touchdowns (11), with only one interception thrown this season.
Harris’ favorite passing target is GLVC Player of the Year candidate and fellow sophomore, Eugene Witherspoon, who is second in the conference in receptions (21) and yards (546), but leads the league with 11 touchdowns.
On defense, Quincy is led by freshman cornerback Kenshawn Bragg, the reigning GLVC Defensive Player of the Week. Last week, Bragg essentially won the game for the Hawks, by intercepting a pass early in the fourth quarter and returning it 50 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in a 31-28 victory over Missouri S&T.
Lindenwood has a veteran quarterback in Brister and veteran receivers all over the field, but they will be tested by Quincy’s sensational freshman shutdown corner.
Up Next: Lindenwood will be back on the road next week, with a game at Indianapolis, which is also 1-0 in league play this year. That game will be played next Saturday night at UIndy’s historic Key Stadium.
The Lions’ next home game will be in two weeks, on Saturday, October 23, when they will host Southwest Baptist at Hunter Stadium.
Probable Starters
Lindenwood Offense Lindenwood Defense
QB – 4 Cade Brister – Jr. DE – 8 Moses Ale – So.
RB – 20 Robert Giaimo – Fr. DT – 99 Tayvian Weary – Jr.
WR – 10 Alex Faddoul – Sr. DT – 90 Dwight Dantzler – Sr.
WR – 17 Payton Rose – Jr. DE – 92 Arsante Conners – Sr.
WR – 19 Glen Gibbons – Sr. LB – 9 C.J. McClure – Sr.
LT – 77 Blake Rogenhofer – Jr. LB – 5 Drew Seers – Sr.
LG – 72 Logan Wright – Jr. LB – 1 Tre Hendon – Sr.
C – 51 Connor Mazzotta – Jr. CB – 15 Keith Beverly – Sr.
RG – 52 Asa Baker – So. FS – 21 Kai Ross – So.
RT – 74 Ethan Johnson – Fr. SS – 14 Grady Daniels – Sr.
TE – 16 Clint Sigg – Sr. CB – 6 Jordan Perry – Sr.
PK – 98 Logan Siebert – Fr. P – 91 Jared Stangler – Sr.
Quincy Offense Quincy Defense
QB – 7 Tionne Harris – Jr. DE – 34 Dale Dambek – Fr.
RB – 5 Tremayne Lee – So. DT – 96 Cole Schnettgoecke – Fr.
WR – 19 Eugene Witherspoon – So. DT – 19 Marcel Scott – Jr.
WR – 2 A.J. Hardin – Jr. DE – 57 Will Henegar – Sr.
WR – 8 Paul Sullivan – Fr. LB – 28 Trevon Rhodes – So.
LT – 70 B.J. Wilson – Jr. LB – 22 Peyten Chappel – Jr.
LG – 64 Mario Rowland – Jr. LB – 9 Javon Love – So.
C – 73 Cade Cameron – Fr. CB – 27 Kenshawn Bragg – Fr.
RG – 69 Max Snell – Sr. FS – 11 Sahron Cunningham– Jr.
RT – 71 Micah Wheeler – So. SS – 6 Melvin Brock – Jr.
TE – 84 Keith Nemesango – Fr. CB – 16 Trajen Thornton – Fr.
PK – 30 Michael Klotz – Sr. P – 43 Bryce Broussard – Jr.