Lindenwood football will play its 2024 season opener on August 29 against Kansas. (Photo: Terrance Williams)

As Week 1 of training camp concludes, the preseason honors continue to roll in for the Lindenwood University football team.

This week, seven members of the Lindenwood squad earned spots on the 2024 Phil Steele Magazine Preseason All Big South-OVC team.

The Lions had three first team selections on the offensive side of the ball: Gareth Warren and Ethan Johnson on the offensive line, and wide receiver Jeff Caldwell. Standout defensive tackle, Kobe McClendon was the only Lindenwood player named to the first team on the defensive side of the ball.

The St. Louis, Mo., and St. Mary’s High School native was also tabbed Phil Steele’s All Big South-OVC preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Patrick Turner was named to the first team as a punter, giving Lindenwood five players on the first team.

Rounding out the selections were running back Robert Giaimo and linebacker Ethan Stuhlsatz, who were both second team selections.

Caldwell was one of the Associations most explosive players at the wide receiver position a year ago. The Louisville, Ky., native hauled in 32 passes for 599 yards and eight touchdowns, which were the most receiving scores in the conference. The junior wideout averaged 18.7 yards per catch, which was also tops in the conference, and had three scores go for 60 or more yards a year ago.

Johnson and Warren return to anchor a veteran offensive line and has been a key cog ever since he joined the black and gold. Johnson was a CSC Academic All-District selection and a member of the FCS ADA Academic All-Star Team. The Normal, Ill., native was named a Big South-OVC Player to Watch earlier this offseason. Warren was just named to the Shrine Bowl 1000 List, which recognizes some of the top players in the country.

Turner was one of the best punters in the association last season as he averaged 40.0 yards per kick on 47 attempts ranking third in the conference. He had six punts of 50 plus yards and a season long of 66 yards. Turner was also named association Specialist of the Week once a year ago.

Giaimo looks to return to form in 2024 after dealing with injuries the past couple seasons. The Bartlett, Tenn., native compiled 108.4 all-purpose yards per game across the first five contests. Giaimo averaged 5.4 yards per carry on the ground, while rushing for three scores. The junior running back was the Great Lakes Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2021.

McClendon and Stuhlsatz each earned recognition on the defensive side of the ball. McClendon totaled 9.5 tackles for loss and a team-best 6.5 sacks. Those 6.5 sacks are the fourth-most during a single season in program history.

Stuhlsatz made an immediate impact as a transfer, tallying a team-high 70 tackles. He put together four games with 10 or more stops this season. The Wichita, Kan. native also forced two fumbles and had three quarterback hurries last season.

The Lions will open the 2024 season on Thursday, August 29, taking on the University of Kansas at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.

Lindenwood’s home opener is set for Saturday, September 7. The Lions will host Central Arkansas at Hunter Stadium that night. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.

2024 LINDENWOOD LIONS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

DateTimeAtOpponentLocation
August 29, 2024 (Thursday)7:00 pmAwayKansasKansas City, Kan.
September 7, 2024 (Saturday)6:00 p.m.HomeCentral ArkansasSt. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium
September 14, 2024 (Saturday)6:00 pmAwayMissouri StateSpringfield, Mo.
September 21, 2024 (Saturday)1:00 p.m.HomeSt. ThomasSt. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium
September 28, 2024 (Saturday)2:00 pmAwayEastern IllinoisCharleston, Ill.
October 5, 2024 (Saturday)1:00 p.m.HomeTennessee StateSt. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium
October 12, 2024 (Saturday)1:00 p.m.HomeCharleston SouthernSt. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium
October 19, 2024 (Saturday)3:00 pmAwayGardner-WebbBoiling Springs, N.C.
October 26, 2024 (Saturday)2:00 p.m.HomeWestern IllinoisSt. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium
November 2, 2024 (Saturday)1:30 pmAwayTennessee TechCookeville, Tenn.
November 9, 2024 (Saturday)1:00 p.m.HomeSoutheast Missouri StateSt. Charles, Mo. / Hunter Stadium
November 23, 2024 (Saturday)2:00 pmAwayTennessee-MartinMartin, Tenn.