Lindenwood’s Tyson Chandler fights for extra yardage against two UIndy defenders during Saturday’s GLVC first-place showdown at UIndy’s Key Stadium in Indianapolis. (Photo courtesy: UIndy Athletics)

Scoring by Quarter1234T
LINDENWOOD (5-2, 3-0)0771428
INDIANAPOLIS (4-3, 2-1)10100020

by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor

INDIANAPOLIS – The much-anticipated battle of the two most recent Great Lakes Valley Conference football champions lived up to its billing, Saturday afternoon at Key Stadium, as 2019 champion Lindenwood University knocked off defending champ, the University of Indianapolis, 28-20, in front of a packed house of 5,000 fans.

Visiting Lindenwood, which has now won five games in a row, lifted its overall record to 5-2, and took over sole possession of first place in the GLVC with a 3-0 league mark, did it by dominating the second half over an Indianapolis team that thorougly controlled the first half.

The host Greyhounds scored all their points in the first half — two touchdowns and two field goals — to take a 20-7 lead into the half. UIndy also outgained Lindenwood 259 total yards to just 135, produced more first downs (14-9), and also forced two LU turnovers.

UIndy running back Toriano Clinton — the GLVC’s leading rusher — had a huge day for the Greyhounds, finishing with 229 yards on 32 carries and a touchdown.

But in the second half, Lindenwood turned the tables. The Lions outscored UIndy 21-0, outgained them 225 yards to 119, and had 11 first downs the home team’s four.

One of the key plays in the second half was a UIndy turnover, early in the third quarter, that gave Lindenwood the ball on UIndy’s 43 yard line. The Lions drove those 43 yards on nine quick plays, culminating with a 2-yard touchdown run by freshman running back Robert Giaimo that cut UIndy’s lead to 20-14.

Lindenwood took its first lead early in the fourth quarter, when quarterback Cade Brister hit receiver Alex Faddoul on a 27-yard touchdown strike that made the score 21-20. Two key plays in that drive were a pair of pass interference calls against UIndy that gave Lindenwood a couple of much-needed first downs.

Then, after forcing a shanked punt that may have been partially blocked, Lindenwood got the ball in UIndy’s territory again and went right down the field and scored again, thanks 17-yard touchdown pass from freshman Cole Dugger to senior Payton Rose.

Dugger came into the game because on a previous play, Brister scrambled for a huge 13-yard first down run, but suffered an injury that forced him to leave the game.

A second-year freshman due to the 2020 season being canceled because of the covid pandemic, Dugger had only played in two games and thrown just one pass in a game this season. But on his second play Saturday, the former Owasso (Okla.) High standout drilled a touchdown throw that gave Lindenwood a 28-20 lead.

Then, with just minutes left in the game and the Lions trying to run out the clock, Dugger was faced with two huge third downs. And both times, he completed huge passes (one to tight end Clint Sigg, the other to Faddoul) to keep the drive going and eventually help Lindenwood run out the clock.

Brister finished the day with 167 passing yards, a touchdown throw, and a team-high 77 rushing yards. Dugger was four-for-four on his throws, for 53 yards, and a touchdown of his own.

Lindenwood receivers Faddoul and Rose combined for 13 catches, 169 receiving yards, and two touchdowns.

Defensively, the Lions were led by senior cornerback Grady Daniels, who had a game-high 13 tackles, including seven solo stops. Fellow senior C.J. McClure had eight tackles and a quarterback sack as well.

Now having made it through the three-game gauntlet of Truman State, Quincy, and UIndy to begin its conference schedule with wins in all three games, Lindenwood can now focus on the home stretch of its season, looking at a real good chance at winning the league crown again.

The Lions will be back at home this Saturday, October 23, with a game at Hunter Stadium against Southwest Baptist. Opening kickoff for that game is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Quincy vs. Lindenwood — Scoring Plays
1st Quarter
9:01 – UIndy – TOUCHDOWN – Tyler Thomas 3 yd pass from Bryce Stancombe (Paul Buisman PAT) — UIndy 0-7
1:51 – UIndy – FIELD GOAL – Paul Buisman 20 yd field goal — UIndy 0-10
2nd Quarter
14:03 – LU – TOUCHDOWN – Robert Giaimo 4 yd run (Logan Siebert PAT) — UIndy 7-10
7:17 – UIndy – FIELD GOAL – Paul Buisman 43 yd field goal — UIndy 7-13
2:02 – UIndy – TOUCHDOWN – Toriano Clinton 5 yd run (Paul Buisman PAT) — UIndy 7-20
3rd Quarter
7:17 – LU – TOUCHDOWN – Robert Giaimo 2 yd run (Logan Siebert PAT) — UIndy 14-20
4th Quarter
14:13 – LU – TOUCHDOWN – Alex Faddoul 27 yd pass from Cade Brister (Logan Siebert PAT) — LU 21-20
8:53 – LU – TOUCHDOWN – Payton Rose 17 yd pass from Cole Dugger (Logan Siebert PAT) — LU 28-20
Lindenwood Lions Football Upcoming Schedule
Sat., October 23 — vs. Southwest Baptist — 1 pm
Sat., October 30 — at William Jewell — 1 pm
Sat., November 6 — at Missouri S&T — 1 pm
Sat., November 13 — vs. McKendree — 1 pm
All Lindenwood home football games will be played at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium