Lindenwood defenders chase an Austin Peay ball carrier to prevent a long gain during Saturday’s game at Hunter Stadium in St. Charles. (Photo: Thomas Grove)

NCAA Football	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final
Austin Peay (3-2)	28	7	7	10	52
Lindenwood 2-3	0	3	0	7	10

DeMarcus Dixon
Staff Writer

ST. CHARLES, MO — A brutal first quarter led to a rough loss, Saturday afternoon at Hunter Stadium, as the Lindenwood Lions fell to Austin Peay, 52-3.

The visiting Governors scored four touchdowns in the first quarter, sparked by three interceptions, that led to a 28-0 lead. Austin Peay would go on to lead 35-3 at halftime and led 52-3 early in the fourth quarter in what proved to be one of the toughest home performances for Lindenwood in several seasons.

The Lions did post 430 total yards and picked up 23 first downs, but big plays by the Governors and four total turnovers were too much to overcome for Lindenwood.

Austin Peay was led by quarterback Mike DiLiello, who completed 15-of-30 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, with one interception. Running back Jevon Jackson had 158 yards rushing and scored two touchdowns, as the Governors had six plays of more that 40 yards, eight plays of more than 30 yards, and 11 plays of more than 20 yards.

No individual APSU receiver had over 100 yards, but four had at least 50, and three different receivers scored touchdowns.

Lindenwood was led by running back Robert Giaimo. The sophomore from Bartlett, Tenn., had 103 rushing yards. It was his second 100-yard rushing effort of the season and third straight game with at least 95 yards on the ground.

Quarterback Cole Dugger threw for 174 yards, but also threw the three first quarter interceptions, before being replaced in the second half.

After falling behind 35-0, Lindenwood got on the board with just over three minutes left in the first half, when Logan Seibert connected on a 39-yard field goal. But that didn’t stop Austin Peay from pouring it on, as they scored the next 17 points to go up 52-3 early in the fourth quarter.

Lindenwood’s Justin Williams, who had 93 yards rushing and helped the Lions compile 228 total rushing yards, scored on a 22-yard run late in the fourth to provide the home club score its only touchdown of the day.

The loss dropped Lindenwood’s record to 2-3.

Next week, the Lions will be home again for a Big South-OVC Football Association conference game against Tennessee Tech. That contest will be played at Hunter Stadium and will kick off at 1 p.m.

SCORING SUMMARY

Qtr	Time	Scoring Play	AP	LU
1st	13:24	AP – Goodman, Trey 42 yd pass from DiLiello, Mike (Trujillo, Maddux kick) 5 plays, 84 yards, TOP 01:31	7	0
1st	11:05	AP – Thomas, Kam 46 yd pass from DiLiello, Mike (Trujillo, Maddux kick) 3 plays, 50 yards, TOP 00:39	14	0
1st	09:04	AP – Thomas, Kam 46 yd pass from DiLiello, Mike (Trujillo, Maddux kick) 2 plays, 52 yards, TOP 00:26	21	0
1st	04:11	AP – DiLiello, Mike 12 yd run (Trujillo, Maddux kick), 2 plays, 36 yards, TOP 00:00	28	0
2nd	14:54	AP – Jackson, Jevon 2 yd run (Trujillo, Maddux kick), 5 plays, 86 yards, TOP 01:27	35	0
2nd	03:11	LU – Seibert, Logan 39 yd field goal 8 plays, 35 yards, TOP 02:28	35	3
3rd	08:31	AP – Jackson, Jevon 40 yd run (Trujillo, Maddux kick), 6 plays, 97 yards, TOP 01:54	42	3
4th	12:40	AP – Trujillo, Maddux 28 yd field goal 9 plays, 65 yards, TOP 02:09	45	3
4th	10:28	AP – Odom, Kenny 46 yd pass from Locklear, Skyler (Trujillo, Maddux kick) 3 plays, 59 yards, TOP 00:50	52	3
4th	06:21	LU – Williams, Justin 22 yd run (Seibert, Logan kick), 8 plays, 75 yards, TOP 04:07	52	10

2023 Lindenwood Lions Football Schedule

Sat., October 7 — vs. Tennessee Tech* — 1 pm

Sat., October 14 — at Charleston Southern* — 3 pm

Sat., October 28 — at Tennessee State* — 2 pm

Sat., November 4 — vs. Eastern Illinois* — 2 pm

Sat., November 11 — vs. Bryant* — 1 pm

* – denotes Big South-Ohio Valley Conference game

All Lindenwood home games will be played at Harlen C. Hunter Stadium