Lindenwood QB Cooper Justice gets tackled by a Tennessee State defender during Saturday’s game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. (Photo courtesy: TSU Athletics)
| NCAA Football – Oct. 28, 2023 | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood (3-5, 1-3) | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 20 |
| Tennessee State (6-2, 2-1) | 16 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 43 |
Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
NASHVILLE, TN — It was another tough day for the Lindenwood University football team.
The Lions, who were already playing without several projected starters due to injury, had another quarterback got hurt and lost two more defensive starters, on its way to a 43-20 defeat to Tennessee State University in a Big South-OVC Football Association game at Nissan Stadium.
Host TSU posted 466 total yards, sacked Lindenwood’s quarterback seven times, and used a big first half to build a 40-7 halftime lead. Then extended its lead to 43-7, before Lindenwood added a couple of late touchdowns to make the score more respectable.
Unfortunately, the numbers weren’t very respectable at all.
The Blue Tigers dominated the Lions in every category. The home team outgained Lindenwood 466-287, posted 20 first downs to Lindenwood’s 11, and forced three turnovers, while the Lions only forced one.
TSU quarterback Draylen Ellis threw for 236 yards, with a touchdown pass and a touchdown run, while running back Jordan Gant led all rushers with 64 yards and two touchdowns.
Lindenwood starting quarterback Carter Davis threw a 65 yard touchdown pass to Jeff Caldwell, Jr., but he also got injured in the second quarter and wasn’t able to finish the game.
Backup QBs Cooper Justice and Tyler Kubat finished the game under center for the Lions, with Kubat — a true freshman from Fort Collins, Colo. — throwing for 114 yards and the first two touchdown passes of his college career.
“Unfortunately missed opportunities in the first half and dug a tough hole to dig out of,” Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart said, in a statement released by the Lindenwood sports information department. “I can’t be disappointed in the fight of our team in the second half. A lot of teams would have quit, but these guys don’t.
“We will keep adjusting and coaching till the final bell for the consistency to play four quarters we need to win. We’ve won games when we do that. Injuries happen on every team and we have plenty, but it gives a chance to those who’ve been waiting the opportunity to step up. Excited for those to see if they meet that challenge.”
The loss dropped Lindenwood’s season record to 3-5 and its Big South-OVC mark to 1-3. Tennessee State improved to 6-2 and clinched its first winning season since 2017.
The Lions will look to snap its two game losing streak when they get back on field next Saturday, November 4, with a home game against Eastern Illinois. That game, another Big South-OVC contest, will kick off at Hunter Stadium at 2 p.m.
Scoring Summary
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | LU | TSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11:21 | TSU – Gant,Jordan 4 yd run (Lowery,James kick), 6 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:22 | 0 | 7 |
| 1st | 10:35 | LU – Caldwell,Jeff 65 yd pass from Davis,Carter (Seibert,Logan kick) 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:41 | 7 | 7 |
| 1st | 05:13 | TSU – Lowery,James 35 yd field goal 13 plays, 74 yards, TOP 05:14 | 7 | 10 |
| 1st | 03:56 | TSU – Green,Josh 31 yd interception ( ) | 7 | 16 |
| 2nd | 11:55 | TSU – Ellis,Draylen 13 yd run (Lowery,James kick), 8 plays, 80 yards, TOP 01:05 | 7 | 23 |
| 2nd | 08:00 | TSU – Gant,Jordan 8 yd run (Lowery,James kick), 1 plays, 17 yards, TOP 01:07 | 7 | 30 |
| 2nd | 06:36 | TSU – Davis,Da’Shon 90 yd pass from Ellis,Draylen (Lowery,James kick) 1 plays, 90 yards, TOP 00:23 | 7 | 37 |
| 2nd | 01:04 | TSU – Lowery,James 29 yd field goal 6 plays, 23 yards, TOP 03:29 | 7 | 40 |
| 3rd | 03:07 | TSU – Lowery,James 37 yd field goal 15 plays, 78 yards, TOP 08:10 | 7 | 43 |
| 4th | 14:12 | LU – Rhodes,Jared 40 yd pass from Kubat,Tyler (Seibert,Logan kick) 7 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:55 | 14 | 43 |
| 4th | 04:25 | LU – Redd,Spencer 21 yd pass from Kubat,Tyler (2-pt attempt failed) 6 plays, 55 yards, TOP 02:45 | 20 | 43 |
| 2023 Lindenwood Lions Football Schedule |
| Sat., November 4 — vs. Eastern Illinois* — 2 pm |
| Sat., November 11 — vs. Bryant* — 1 pm |
| * – denotes Big South-Ohio Valley Conference game |
| All Lindenwood home games will be played at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium |