Lindenwood QB Cade Brister calls out signals to his O-line in front of a huge Homecoming Day crowd, during Saturday’s game against Murray State at Hunter Stadium. (Photo: Cedric Williams)

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Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

ST. CHARLES, MO — Homecoming Day is supposed to be the first official big party day of the school year at every college and/or university.

There’s all the pageantry of the parade in the morning. The exciting announcement of the Homecoming court during the day, and then the thrill of the dance that night.

But for Lindenwood University, the real fun began with the football game, Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium, where the Lions overcame an early 12-0 deficit to defeat visiting Murray State, 33-18.

“It was a fun day,” Lindenwood head coach Jed Stugart said. “We got off to a slow start, a little bit. And it took us a little bit to get going, but I never got nervous or anything. I trust these guys. I’ve been around them enough to know they’ll get it going.”

And after falling behind early, that’s exactly what the Lions did, and they used several big plays to get it done.

First, in the early minutes of the second quarter, Lindenwood got a 39-yard touchdown pass from Cade Brister to Kobe Smith to get on the board. Then, after Murray State added a field goal to go up 15-7, Brister threw a 27-yard scoring pass to Payton Rose to make it 15-14.

Then, just before the half, Lindenwood added a field goal by Logan Seibert to go ahead at the break 17-15.

“When we were in the locker room at halftime, one of our coaches said, ‘sometimes we need a punch in the mouth’ to get going,” Stugart said. “I think it was like that today. We knew this team didn’t have any wins coming in, but we also knew they had played a very tough schedule. So we weren’t looking past them. They just took it to us a little.”

Murray State regained the lead on its first possession of the second half, led by running back and St. Louis-area native, Damonta Witherspoon. The former East St. Louis High product finished the day with a game-high 157 rushing yards and helped get the Racers get in range for a 32-yard field goal.

Witherspoon had two long first-down runs on Murray State’s next possession, which deep into Lindenwood territory. But that’s when the Lindenwood defense made the play of the day.

Racers quarterback Jayden Stinson tried to toss a swing pass to one of his receivers in the flat, the Lindenwood’s Darion Bolden jumped the route, intercepted the pass, then returned it 99 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown.

“I have to give credit to my teammate, number 11, Mann McGruder,” Bolden said. “He’s the one that recognized it and told me to be ready for it. And then I just saw it coming and tried to get to the ball first.”

The instant Bolden made the interception and started heading the other way, the only thing stopping him from scoring was Stinson. It was a foot race for about 60 yards, but eventually Bolden outran Stinson to the goal line for a score that set off a celebration dance fest on the Lindenwood sideline.

“There was no way I was letting him catch me,” Bolden said. “I couldn’t have the rest of the guys clowning me about getting caught by the slow quarterback. I had to get that touchdown.”

That made the score 24-18 Lions. Early in the fourth quarter, Brister and Rose connected for a 64-yard bomb that set up another touchdown toss to Smith, that put Lindenwood up 30-18. Seibert added a field goal to close out the scoring and send everyone in black and gold home to get ready for the Homecoming Dance in a very good mood.

“I love these guys,” Bolden said. “That’s what it’s all about here. It’s all about our love for one another, our love as brothers, and us showing that love by being willing to work hard and get through tough times and tough starts.”

Stugart said, “we’ve got a special thing here with these guys, and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

For the day, Brister finished with 242 passing yards and the three touchdowns. Rose had three catches for 111 yards, which pushed him into the No. 1 spot all-time in Lindenwood receiving yards.

On defense, Bolden had two interceptions on the day, and McGruder had a huge day as well. The junior who’s starting in place of injured senior Kai Ross, finished with a game-high 14 tackles (six solo) and a pass breakup.

The victory improved Lindenwood’s record to 5-2 overall, and was the Lions’ first official Ohio Valley Conference win. Murray State fell to 0-8 on the year, with three of those losses being against OVC opponents.

Lindenwood will be back in action next Saturday, October 29, when it is scheduled to host former Great Lakes Valley Conference foe, William Jewell. That matchup will kickoff at Hunter Stadium at 1 p.m.

QtrTimeScoring PlayMurray St.LU
1st08:13Murray St. – Lucas Maue 1 yd run (PAT failed), 11 plays, 64 yards, TOP 06:0560
1st00:10Murray St. – Lucas Maue 1 yd run (2-pt attempt failed), 6 plays, 46 yards, TOP 02:03120
2nd13:34LU – Kobe Smith 39 yd pass from Cade Brister (Logan Seibert kick) 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 01:36127
2nd05:00Murray St. – Aaron Baum 22 yd field goal 15 plays, 71 yards, TOP 08:34157
2nd01:33LU – Payton Rose 27 yd pass from Cade Brister (Logan Seibert kick) 7 plays, 69 yards, TOP 03:271514
2nd00:32LU – Logan Seibert 45 yd field goal 7 plays, 22 yards, TOP 00:411517
3rd10:00Murray St. – Aaron Baum 32 yd field goal 10 plays, 69 yards, TOP 04:561817
3rd04:01LU – Darion Bolden 99 yd interception return (Logan Seibert kick)1824
4th13:15LU – Kobe Smith 4 yd pass from Cade Brister (2-pt attempt failed) 6 plays, 89 yards, TOP 01:501830
4th04:26LU – Logan Seibert 29 yd field goal 14 plays, 62 yards, TOP 07:231833
2022 Lindenwood Lions Upcoming Football Schedule
Sat., October 29 — vs. William Jewell — 1 pm
Sat., November 5 — at Tennessee Tech — 1:30 pm
Sat., November 12 — vs. McKendree — 1 pm
All Lindenwood home games will be played at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium