The Lindenwood Lions were picked to finish eighth in the Big South-OVC this season. (Photo: Terrance Williams)
The Big South-OVC Football Association released its 2024 preseason poll on Wednesday, and the Lindenwood University football teams was picked to finish eighth in a league of nine teams.
Last year, Lindenwood went 3-7 overall and 1-5 in the conference to finish in last place.
Tennessee-Martin was tabbed the preseason favorite as the Skyhawks earned 61 points, including five first place votes. Coming in just behind them was Eastern Illinois, who garnered 53 points, and Southeast Missouri State who earned 51 points. Each squad earned a pair of votes for the top spot. Tennessee State (fourth), Gardner-Webb (fifth), Charleston Southern (sixth), Tennessee Tech (seventh), and Western Illinois (ninth) rounded out the poll.
In addition, five players from the squad were named as players to watch for the upcoming season. Jeff Caldwell looks to build on a stellar sophomore campaign where he led the conference with eight touchdowns. The Louisville, Ky. native hauled in 32 catches for 599 yards. Ethan Johnson returns to anchor a veteran offensive line, while Robert Giaimo aims to return to form in the Lindenwood backfield.
On the defensive side, Kobe McClendon enters his junior campaign after a strong 2023 season where he compiled a team-leading 6.5 sacks and was a second team all-conference performer. Ethan Stuhlsatz looks to lead the linebacker corps once again. Last season, he led the team with 70 tackles, earning a second team all-conference nod.
Lindenwood will open the season against FBS opponent Kansas on August 29 to kickoff the season. The matchup with the Jayhawks at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan., will mark the first game against an FBS opponent since the Lions’ transition to Division I.
Lindenwood will host Central Arkansas for its home opener the following week on September 7. Last season, Central Arkansas posted a record of 7-4, including a 5-1 mark inside conference play.
The Lions head to Springfield, Mo. for a matchup with Missouri State on September 14. The Bears compiled a record of 4-7 a year ago and will move up to the FBS level next season. On September 21, Lindenwood returns home to take on the University of St. Thomas for Family Day. Last season, the Tommies finished the year 8-3 and went 7-1 inside the Pioneer League.
Lindenwood begins Big South-OVC Association play the following week with a matchup at Eastern Illinois. In 2023, the Panthers just missed out on the FCS Playoffs after posting an 8-3 record. The Lions come home for two-straight contests at Hunter Stadium, taking on Tennessee State on October 5, before hosting Charleston Southern on October 12.
The Lions head to Boiling Springs, N.C. for the first-ever meeting with Garder-Webb on October 19. Western Illinois makes the trip to St. Charles on October 26 for homecoming. Lindenwood heads to Tennessee Tech on November 2. Last season, the Lions shutout the Golden Eagles.
The MRV Banks Game Ball Brawl with Southeast Missouri State is set for November 9, which closes out the home slate for the Lions. Lindenwood will end the season on the road at preseason favorite UT Martin on November 23.
2024 BIG SOUTH-OVC PRESEASON POLL
| Rank – School (first-place votes) | Points |
| 1 – Tennessee-Martin (5) | 61 |
| 2 – Eastern Illinois (2) | 53 |
| 3 – Southeast Missouri (2) | 51 |
| 4 – Tennessee State | 41 |
| 5 – Gardner-Webb | 40 |
| 6 – Charleston Southern | 27 |
| 7 – Tennessee Tech | 24 |
| 8 – Lindenwood | 18 |
| 9 – Western Illinois | 9 |
2024 LINDENWOOD LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
| Date | Time | At | Opponent | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 29, 2024 (Thursday) | 7:00 pm | Away | Kansas | Kansas City, Kan. |
| September 7, 2024 (Saturday) | 6:00 p.m. | Home | Central Arkansas | St. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium |
| September 14, 2024 (Saturday) | 6:00 pm | Away | Missouri State | Springfield, Mo. |
| September 21, 2024 (Saturday) | 1:00 p.m. | Home | St. Thomas | St. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium |
| September 28, 2024 (Saturday) | 2:00 pm | Away | Eastern Illinois | Charleston, Ill. |
| October 5, 2024 (Saturday) | 1:00 p.m. | Home | Tennessee State | St. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium |
| October 12, 2024 (Saturday) | 1:00 p.m. | Home | Charleston Southern | St. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium |
| October 19, 2024 (Saturday) | 3:00 pm | Away | Gardner-Webb | Boiling Springs, N.C. |
| October 26, 2024 (Saturday) | 2:00 p.m. | Home | Western Illinois | St. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium |
| November 2, 2024 (Saturday) | 1:30 pm | Away | Tennessee Tech | Cookeville, Tenn. |
| November 9, 2024 (Saturday) | 1:00 p.m. | Home | Southeast Missouri State | St. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium |
| November 23, 2024 (Saturday) | 2:00 pm | Away | Tennessee-Martin | Martin, Tenn. |