| Score by Period | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | F |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lindenwood (9-3) | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Grand Valley State (10-1) | 10 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 20 |
by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
The super fun and extra exciting 2021 football season came to an end on Saturday afternoon for the Lindenwood University football team.
The Lions, the two-time undefeated champions of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, had a difficult time getting anything going on offense against host Grand Valley State, and lost the game 20-3.
The contest was a first-round matchup in the 2021 NCAA Division II playoffs, and sent the victorious Lakers to the second round, where they will play conference rival and No. 1 team in the country, Ferris State next week.
Those two teams played once earlier this season, in what turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the entire D2 football season, with Ferris State winning 35-28 for a victory that gave them the GLIAC championship this year.
On Saturday, Grand Valley State led throughout, and used its top 10 ranked defense to slow down Lindenwood the entire day. Lindenwood finished with just 228 yards of total offense, including just 22 total rushing yards, and only 10 first downs.
Quarterback Alex Faddoul finished the day completing 20-of-45 passes for 206 yards, but was sacked three times, intercepted once, and threw no touchdowns.
The senior from Jefferson City, also led the Lions in rushing yards with 21. But as a contrast, Grand Valley had five players that rushed for more than 21 yards, including two who ran the ball only one time.
Grand Valley’s Bryce Young-Walls, the game’s leading rusher, scored both of the game’s touchdowns — one rushing and one receiving — to lead the Lakers. It was his 32-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, that put Grand Valley up 20-3, after Lindenwood scored and seemed to be gaining some momentum.
The Lindenwood defense was led by junior safeties Kai Ross and Grady Daniels. Ross had a game-high 16 tackles, one for loss, and a pass breakup. While Daniels had 13 tackles, a quarterback sack, and an interception.
Senior linebacker Drew Seers also had 13 tackles, two of which were for loss, and two quarterback hurries.
Unfortunately, Lindenwood’s stout defensive performance couldn’t match Grand Valley State’s, which included not allowing a Lindenwood first down until late in the second quarter and twice holding the Lions without points on drives that began in Grand Valley territory.
Lindenwood ended its season with a 9-3 record.