Lindenwood football coach Jed Stugart talks with his team following a recent practice. (Photo courtesy Lindenwood Athletics)
by Cedric Williams
Senior Editor
The Lindenwood University football team was picked to finish second in the 2021 Great Lakes Valley Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released by the league office on Tuesday.
The Lions, who won the GLVC’s last full season championship in 2019, received 44 total points in the poll conducted among the league’s eight head coaches.
Each coach was allowed one vote, but was not permitted to vote for their own team.
Lindenwood received three first-place votes and finished three points behind the University of Indianapolis, which was picked to win the GLVC title this year after receiving the other five first-place tallies and 47 total points.
UIndy won the league championship during a shortened season this spring. They did so without having to play Lindenwood though, as the Lions opted out of the spring season, due to Covid concerns.
This fall though, LU and UIndy will get their chance to settle their battle to be the best on the field and will even meet head-to-head in Indianapolis on October 16.
Lindenwood, which also found out recently it had been picked No. 21 in the College Football America Division II national preseason poll, will be led once again by quarterback Cade Brister and linebacker Drew Seers, the respective 2019 GLVC Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year.
Brister threw for 3,779 yards and 39 touchdowns and Seers led the nation with 175 tackles, in a season that saw the Lions go 9-4 and reach the second round of the NCAA Division II national championship tournament.
Lindenwood will begin its 2021 campaign with a home game at Hunter Stadium on September 2 against Angelo State. Kickoff that night is set for 7 p.m.
2021 GLVC PRESEASON FOOTBALL POLL
Place School Points (first-place votes)
1. Indianapolis 47 (five)
2. Lindenwood 44 (three)
3 Truman State 37
4. Missouri S&T 32
5. McKendree 24
6. Southwest Baptist 19
7. William Jewell 12
8. Quincy 9