The Lindenwood University football team will play its final nonconference game of the season, Saturday afternoon at Findlay. (Photo courtesy: Lindenwood Athletics)
by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
After picking up its first win of the season last week against Kentucky Wesleyan, the Lindenwood University football team will look to make it two in a row, when it travels J.C. Donnell Memorial Stadium in Ohio to take on the University of Findlay.
The host Oilers are 2-1 on the season and have won two in a row, including a thrilling overtime victory over North Carolina-Pembroke two weeks ago and a blowout win over Southwest Baptist last week.
“They’re a good team. They run the ball well,” Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart said, when asked about playing Findlay this week. “We’ve got to build off (the win over Kentucky Wesleyan). We talked about getting some of our mojo back, offensively. But we’ve got some things we need to work on defensively, and we’ll be tested a little bit against Findlay.”
Saturday’s meeting will be the fifth all-time between the Lions and Oilers. Findlay has won each of the previous four, with the last matchup coming in 1995.
Players to Watch: The Lindenwood defense is led by All-American linebacker Drew Seers, the reigning Great Lakes Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Week. Against Kentucky Wesleyan, the senior had 14 tackles and a interception to lead a crew that help the Lions build a four-touchdown lead before giving up a couple of late touchdowns that made the score more respectable.
Offensively, Lindenwood scored eight rushing touchdowns last week, including five by quarterback Cade Brister, which was a career high for the junior from O’Fallon, Mo. Running backs Nash Sutherlin and Robert Giaimo scored the other touchdowns for the Lions, who finished the night with a season-best 499 total yards.
Findlay is led by its quarterback, senior Matt Winzeler, who is averaging 243.7 yards passing per game and a Great Midwest Athletic Conference-leading eight touchdown passes this season.
Over the course of his career, Wintzeler ranks fifth all time in Findlay history with 4,341 total yards. He’s also third all time with 46 touchdowns and tied for fifth with 337 pass completions.
Findlay’s running game is led by junior tailback Derek Lynch, who leads the GMAC in rushing with 364 yards (121.3 yards per game) this season.
Up Next: The Lions will begin GLVC play next week, but will remain on the road, when they travel north to play Truman State. Findlay will also begin conference play next week. They’ll play at Lake Erie next Saturday.
Lindenwood’s next home game will be a big one for the Lions. It’ll come on Saturday, October 9, which just happens to be Homecoming Day at Lindenwood University, and the Lions will be hosting Quincy University. Kickoff at Hunter Stadium that day is set for 1 p.m.
Probable Starters
Lindenwood Offense Lindenwood Defense
QB – 4 Cade Brister – Jr. DE – 8 Moses Ale – So.
RB – 3 Nash Sutherlin – Sr. 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 – 43 Andrew Rodriguez – Sr.
LT – 77 Blake Rogenhofer- Jr. LB – 5 Drew Seers – Sr.
LG – 72 Logan Wright – Jr. LB – 9 C.J. McClure – Sr.
C – 51 Connor Mazzotta – Jr. CB – 15 Keith Beverly – R/Sr.
RG – 52 Asa Baker – So. S – 14 Grady Daniels – Sr.
RT – 74 Ethan Johnson – Fr. S – 7 Lloyd Lockett – Sr.
TE – 16 Clint Sigg – Sr. CB – 6 Jordan Perry – Sr.
PK – 98 Logan Siebert– Sr. P – 91 Jared Stangler – Sr.
Findlay Offense Findlay Defense
QB – 14 Matt Winzeler – Sr. DE – 0 Ervin Besingi – Jr.
RB – 7 Derek Lynch – Jr. DT – 56 Nick Haddock – Jr.
RB – 22 Josh Booker – Jr. DT – 55 R.J. Wilson – Sr.
WR – 2 Marlin Richardson – Sr. DE – 91 Bishop Byrd – So.
WR – 15 Austin Watt – So. LB – 9 Zach Thornton – Jr.
TE – 35 Mike Rigerman – So. LB – 7 Jalen Humphrey – Sr.
LT – 51 Christian Ealey – Jr. LB – 44 Grey Brancifort – So.
LG – 71 Keeshawn Wesley – Jr. CB – 5 Kishawn Walker – Sr.
C – 57 Kairus Washington – Jr. S – 1 Ramond Jackson – Jr.
RG – 70 Charles Tooley – Jr. S – 8 Armand Childs – Sr.
RT – 77 Matt Wilson – So. CB – 4 Shedrick Kirk – Sr.
PK – 16 Austin Snyder – Fr. P – 14 Matt Winzeler – Sr.