Lindenwood running back Steve Hall had 808 yards and scored five touchdowns last season. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

In a vote of league head coaches, Lindenwood running back Steve Hall and Tennessee-Martin cornerback JaMichael McGoy Jr., were tabbed the 2025 OVC-Big South Football Association Preseason Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.

Hall, a sophomore from St. Louis, who starred at MICDS in high school, was named the OVC-Big South Offensive Freshman of the Year last season, after rushing for 808 yards in 12 games.

The 5-foot-9, 185-pound dynamo carried the ball 111 times and averaged 7.3 yards per carry for the Lions. He scored five rushing touchdowns and also caught 14 passes for 83 yards. Hall was named first-team All-OVC-Big South and was a Freshman All-American by both Phil Steele and FCS Football Central. Hall was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which is FCS’ version of the Heisman Trophy Award.

Lindenwood RB Steve Hall was the OVC-Big South Offensive Freshman of the Year in 2024. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

McGoy earned second-team All-American honors from the Associated Press after helping UT Martin earn a share of the league title, its fourth-straight Conference championship. In 14 games the cornerback tallied 43 tackles (31 solo), 3.0 tackles for loss, 1 sack, three interceptions, 18 pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and a forced fumble. He had an interception in the Skyhawks First Round FCS Playoff victory at New Hampshire.

Lindenwood will begin the 2025 season on Thursday, August 28, when the Lions travel to St. Paul, Minn., to take on the University of St. Thomas.

Lindenwood’s home opener will be September 20 at Hunter Stadium, against Stony Brook University.

2025 LINDENWOOD LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DateAtOpponentLocationTV
August 28, 2025 (Thursday)AwaySt. ThomasSt. Paul, Minn.
September 6, 2025 (Saturday)AwayAppalachian StateBoone, N.C.
September 13, 2025 (Saturday)AwayCharleston SouthernCharleston, S.C.
September 20, 2025 (Saturday)HomeStony BrookHunter Stadium
September 27, 2025 (Saturday)AwayMiami (OH)Oxford, Ohio
October 4, 2025 (Saturday)HomeTennessee-MartinHunter Stadium
October 18, 2025 (Saturday)HomeTennessee TechHunter Stadium
October 25, 2025 (Saturday)HomeGardner-WebbHunter Stadium
November 1, 2025 (Saturday)AwayTennessee StateNashville, Tenn.
November 8, 2025 (Saturday)AwayWestern IllinoisMacomb, Ill.
November 15, 2025 (Saturday)HomeEastern IllinoisHunter Stadium
November 22, 2025 (Saturday)AwaySoutheast Missouri StateCape Girardeau, Mo.